View looking west of construction of [University Farm building]. Original Engineering Building at centre.

Looking northeast at Field Husbandry (later Crop Science) Building and Engineering Building. Two unidentified women sitting on grass in foreground; cars parked on road.

Architectural sketch of addition to the Engineering Building, showing landscaping and sidewalks.

Bio/Historical Note: In the late 1970s the Engineering Building would go through drastic renovations. In six stages from 1977 to 1983 the entire building was completely overhauled and redesigned. It encompassed the replacement of the original portion of the single storey west wing, the removal of the Storage Building, the construction of additions, and renovations in what remained of the original building. The architectural firm responsible for this redesign was Forrester, Scott and Bowers, and the total cost of the project would eventually surpass $13 million. The reconstruction began in 1977. It included the demolition of the old central heating and power plant, the construction of additions to house the Hardy Lab and central shops, and the relocation of a small section serving the Department of Geological Sciences. The second phase included the demolition of a one-storey wing of the building which adjoined the Hardy Lab, and its replacement with a larger three-story structure. A second storey was then built over the office section of the Hardy Lab, which was also renovated. The first phase of demolition work was carried out by CEL Contracting for $136,000 while the second was performed by Roscoe Enterprises for $39,626. The majority of the reconstruction itself was performed by Cana Construction for $1,012,730.

View looking east of University buildings (l to r): Engineering Building, Rutherford Rink, Livestock Pavilion, Main Barn (Animal Husbandry Building in front), and National Research Council. Parking lot in front of Engineering Building; cars parked on road in foreground.

View of Engineering Building under construction in foreground, with Power House construction in background. In immediate foreground is tunnel which ran laterally to the main line from Power House to College Building.

View looking west of University buildings (from l to r): corner of Field Husbandry (later Crop Science) Building; Engineering Building; Rutherford Rink; Livestock Pavilion; and National Research Council. Landscaping and road in foreground.

View looking west of University buildings (from l to r): corner of Field Husbandry (Crop) Science Building; Engineering Building; Rutherford Rink; Livestock Pavilion; and National Research Council. Landscaping and road in foreground.

Looking north at the Engineering Building; cars parking in front.

Returned men standing in front of Engineering Building; winter scene.

Returned men seated in tiers on benches in [Engineering Building].

Returned men standing with farm machinery in front of Engineering Building.

Stationary engine shown in the Engineering Building.

Outdoor posed image of students and faculty of Engineering setting up for group photo in front of Engineering Building.

[R.D. MacLaurin] standing (left) in front of a vehicle with a large tank attached on top which reads "Straw Gas". Three men sitting inside, possibly [F.H. Edmunds] in passenger seat. Sign on running board reads: "McLaughlin Motor Car Model D45". Engineering Building in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Prof. R.D. MacLaurin, head, Department of Chemistry, was interested in the production of gas from straw as a fuel for heating and for engines. Though he was not alone in the research field, MacLaurin built a small extraction plant in the late 1910s and operate a McLaughlin Motor Car using straw gas. The research was promising but far from a breakthrough. The volume of gas produced was small and the mileage between fill-ups low. The most significant aspect of the research was not scientific but financial. MacLaurin felt cheated when Walter C. Murray, University President, distributed provincial research funds to several campus projects. Though he had the largest share of the grant, MacLaurin felt he deserved it all. He alleged Murray had misappropriated funds. A battle ensued for the control of the University administration. Murray was able to maintain the confidence of the Board of Governors and MacLaurin and three of his supporters - Samuel Greenway, Extension director; Ira MacKay, professor of Law; and John L. Hogg, head, Physics - were dismissed. Research into straw gas was discontinued.

Looking south across fields at Engineering Building, University (Main) Barn, and Livestock Pavilion.