What We Do
We construct, operate and maintain the buildings, grounds and infrastructure of Queen's University to the highest possible standard. PPS has staff that cover almost every trade in commercial construction, maintenance and property management fields. We work together to keep all of the campus buildings running smoothly, clean, and a great place to learn and conduct research. We also look after all new construction and renovation on Campus and have a team that is dedicated to maintaining over 140 acres of lawns, trees, flowers and sidewalks throughout the 4 seasons. Physical Plant Services is also responsible for providing and maintaining parking areas around Campus.
Publications
Looking for PPS related publications? Check out the Sustainability Library page for a comprehensive list of relevant publications.
Awards
“Queen’s is honoured to receive this ‘Award of Excellence’ from the City of Kingston and given the strong field of great projects that were nominated, the recognition is particularly exciting. In addition to being one of the premier buildings on campus for our staff and students, the Isabel has become a wonderful local venue for world class performing arts and our Facilities team is very proud of the role we played in helping to create it.” - John Witjes, Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities).
The new building that is home to the Queen’s School of Medicine has won an Award of Merit at the 2014 Livable City Design Awards. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects in Toronto and local firm Shoalts and Zaback Architects and built by local construction firm M.Sullivan and Son Limited, the $77-million facility opened in fall 2011, in time for the Class of 2015’s first classes at Queen’s. "Queen's is honored to receive this award from the City and proud to have our facility recognized with others in helping to celebrate Kingston's long tradition of architectural excellence and creative urban management," says John Witjes, Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities).
The winner of the Kingston Hydro Conservation Award was the Queen's University Kingston - General Hospital combined heat and power plant on King Street, which is helping Kingston Hydro achieve its conservation and demand reduction targets. Since 2007 it has produced carbon emission reductions equivalent to taking 1,400 cars off the road. Earlier this year it entered the Demand Response III program with the Ontario Power Authority with a commitment to make five megawatts available to the power authority when the province hits peak demand. "
The reason this is important to everyone in the province is that if we can do something to get those peak demands down, it reduces our dependence on fossil fuels generating plants and saves us all money by not having to overload the transmission lines and distribution lines to serve just a few hours a year when everyone is using electricity at the same time," said Taylor. "So I'd very much like to congratulate Queen's - KGH."
Beamish-Munro Hall received a 4 Green Globes rating in the BREEAM/Green Leaf program for eco-efficiency and a 2005 Award of Excellence in the Innovation in Architecture category from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. *Awards: 2005 Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture. Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. 2008 City of Kingston Livable City Design Award - New Construction (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional) Category
New Construction - Beamish-Munro Hall
Beamish-Munro Hall at Queen's University is a well-designed, pleasant building, which is relatively low and very compact in form. This form of development is well-suited to the small corner lot that the building is located on, and enhances the streetscape of Union Street. The green building features and components of the building are very well executed, and the design of the building allows a great deal of natural light into the interior spaces. The design and construction of the building, which leaves certain structural and operational components visible, is also a great educational tool for students and the public
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New Construction - Residential - Watts Hall & Leggett Hall
The new residence buildings constructed by Queen's University - Watts Hall & Leggett Hall - are well designed and executed. The attention to the scale and the use of the buildings to form outdoor spaces is appropriate to the campus. The interior spaces are very attractive and inviting, with visual connections to the outdoor spaces. The buildings are innovative and modern, but also strive to be in keeping with, and enhance, the rich heritage of the existing campus. Queen's University should be commended for the high-level of design they are applying to their residential spaces
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Renovation - Goodes Hall
The addition onto the original Victoria School is a successful joining of modern architecture with an older building. The addition complements the original school, and doesn't detract from it. The Victorian building is in the forefront, while the addition is recessed back. This allows the original structure to stand out. The use of brick on the colonnade of the addition serves as a link between it and the original structure. The overall development uses good quality materials, and the interior spaces, such as the atrium, are very pleasant and inviting
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