Pure Alchemy

UBC Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC UBC Life Sciences Centre

As one of the largest buildings on the campus, the University of British Columbia Life Sciences Centre needed to provide first class laboratory spaces, large, general-purpose lecture halls, and specialized theatres dedicated to the medical faculty. The building has been certified LEED® Gold.

A simple, efficient floor scheme allowed for the building of a stunning, LEED® Gold certified medical research lab and teaching facility within very tight budgetary and scheduling limits.

The challenge faced by our engineers in designing the 510,000 sq ft structure included fast track design and construction as well as stringent building envelope requirements set by UBC to meet durability and long term performance.

In close collaboration with the entire design team we developed over a dozen different structural floor schemes to discover which was the most cost-effective. By settling on a simple, repetitive, structurally efficient grid for the extensive slab spaces, we accomplished two significant objectives. We not only enabled the architect to utilize the rest of the construction budget for creating a stunning facility, we also met our sustainable goals by providing an adaptable structural layout that increases the building's longevity and facilitates the use of large windows for natural light.

The project was fast-tracked to allow for the construction of lecture facilities in time for the start of classes, and staged occupancy for the rest of the building.

The cladding systems consist of unitized curtain wall, brick masonry veneer, and zinc cladding over reinforced concrete and block masonry walls. The three-storey basement is a waterproofed and insulated laboratory space. Light-filled atria, roofed with cambered steel trusses and skylight glazing, reduce energy consumption while providing visual drama.

Vital Statistics:

Architect: Bunting Coady Architects / Diamond + Schmitt Architects
Owner: UBC Properties Trust