The University Centre – now named Nideyinàn – is the main hub for students at Carleton University.

The building has undergone several changes and additions throughout its 50+ year lifetime, receiving small additions piece-by-piece until the late 2000s, when the building was transformed into the mass it is today. Notable changes made in the 2000s addition included the building out of the building towards Campus Ave. to house the university bookstore and cafeteria, adding classrooms in the quad that faces the Architecture Building, and a large hall connecting the gap between the University Centre and the Tory Building. The building is hardly recognizable inside and out, having received new interior finishes in many areas.

The original building certainly still exists underneath the mass of additions, but to experience it requires some effort. On the exterior, the building’s north side has survived throughout the years, the trademark Carleton brick is visible and clads the entire facade facing the new Canal Building. Similarly, the parts of the south face are also visible, above the maintenance laneway. The laneway itself, which has been covered by the 2000s atrium, is also still in-tact, and features board formed concrete columns, guard rails, and what appears to be the original underside of the building, including square pot lights.

On the interior, the same materials – board formed concrete and brown brick – can still be seen in some of the original parts of the building. Notable locations include the north-half of the building, which has been unchanged, as well as the hallway that separates the 2000s courtyard addition from the original building.

The University Centre was one of three buildings at Carleton University to be renamed at the end of 2022. The University Centre was renamed to Nideyinàn, which translates to “our heart”.

More information on Nideyinàn/University Centre is available at the Related Resources.