Biological Sciences Complex
August 2011
Project Opening
Acton Ostry Architects announces the opening of the newly renovated Biological Sciences Complex, South and West Wings at the University of British Columbia. The $45M, 170,000 square foot project includes the renewal of spaces originally built more than 50 years ago. The Complex houses new state-of-the-art laboratories, aquaria, informal research spaces, classrooms, seminar rooms and gathering spaces for the Departments of Botany and Zoology.
The seismic concrete buttresses are clad with laminated glass panels that are illuminated at night. The glass panels are printed with botanical and zoological images, visually referencing the building’s use and animating the pedestrian walkway along the Main Mall of the campus.
“On behalf of the Faculty of Science, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your hard work in making this dream become a reality. It is a spectacular facility that will no doubt spawn exciting scientific discoveries and produce a generation of global citizens,” stated David Shorthouse, Assistant Dean, Finance and Administration, University of British Columbia.
