UBC Hebb Building
February 2020
Completed in 2019, the 5,960 square metre renewal refurbished a 1960s modernist building originally designed by Thompson Berwick and Pratt Architects on the University of British Columbia Point Grey Campus. The LEED Gold certified renewal included the reconfiguration of the six-storey classroom block to support contemporary pedagogy for the Department of Physics and Astronomy and features extensive transparency between collaborative teaching lab spaces. Key program elements include acoustic and optic labs, large format classrooms, a student learning centre, workshops, a rooftop telescope dome, lecture theatre, and a new pedestrian bridge link to the adjacent Hennings Building. The extensive renewal also included a full seismic upgrade, replacement of the building systems, elevator upgrades, and improvements to the building envelope.
recognition
2021
Grands Prix du Design Renovation Gold Award
Grands Prix du Design Higher Education Silver Award
UBC Geological Field Station
January 2019
The UBC Geological Field Station is located in Oliver, British Columbia adjacent to the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area. The new facility will replace existing, aging camp buildings that have reached the end of their lifespan. The Field Station complex consists of: a main building with learning, dining and kitchen functions; a faculty cabin; and, heavy duty tent structures for students. The design expression is functional, spare and simple. The Geological Field Station will be used by students and faculty of the UBC Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
Brock Commons Tallwood House
September 2016
Completed in 2017, Brock Commons Tallwood House is an 18 storey, LEED Gold certified, 404-bed student residence building located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Extraordinary for its height, making it the world’s tallest mass wood tower at the time of its completion, Tallwood House is also extraordinary for the speed the timber structure and prefabricated facade went up in only 66 days. At 2,233 cubic meters, the building utilizes an extraordinary amount of timber that stores an impressive 1,753 metric tons of carbon dioxide and avoids production of 679 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Key to receiving approvals and achieving economic viability was a “keep it simple” design approach that makes the building appear ordinary—extraordinarily ordinary—through encapsulation of the wood structure with gypsum board.
A prefabricated facade, arranged in a pattern of vertical striations, features pre-installed windows and cladding consisting of 70 per cent wood fibers. A metal cornice crowns the building. A CLT canopy runs the length of a curtain wall base, which reveals the warm wood finishes of amenity spaces within. Elevator lobbies are clad with the same material as the exterior. Hallway finishes include natural wood doors and a palette of rich umber and ochre accent finishes. Living unit interiors are bright white, spare and simple. The quintessential west coast ocean and mountain views are spectacular.
– overview: Brock Commons Tallwood House – Chapter 1: Overview
– podcasts: Future of Structures World Architecture News
– articles: ADF Magazine SAB Magazine Canadian Architect Fire Fighting in Canada
– technical: naturally:wood Canadian Wood Council virtual tour
recognition
2022
Austrian Green Planet Building® Award
2018
International Prize for Wood Architecture
Lieutenant Governor of BC Award
Sustainable Architecture & Building Green Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Architect Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Innovation Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Engineer Award
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Award Finalist
Lieutenant Governor of BC Engineering Excellence Award
Vancouver Regional Construction Association Award
2017
Premier’s Innovation & Excellence Award
Canadian Wood Council Special Jury Award
Institution of Structural Engineers Innovation Award
NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
Construction Dive Five Favourite Projects of the Year
Fast Company Innovation by Design Finalist
UBC Aquatic Centre
October 2014
Completed in 2017, the 8,000 square metre Aquatic Centre is a collaboration of MJMA (MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects) and Acton Ostry Architects.
Located at the University of British Columbia Point Grey Campus, the new facility accommodates high performance training, community aquatics and student campus life. Angular massing, a soaring roof canopy and extensive glazing all combine to create a dynamic form that dramatically reveals activities taking place within.
Strategic planning allows the competition venue to operate independent of student and community recreational programs. A central skylight spine creates a virtual separation of uses that facilitates delineation and user control for divergent programming. The complex includes a 50m-competition pool, 25m-recreation pool, leisure pool, hot tub, change rooms, multi-purpose rooms and spectator seating. The project is LEED Gold certified.
To learn more about the project, view the videos produced by Bronwyn Davies via UBC Recreation: Welcome to the New UBC Pool and Check out the New UBC Aquatic Centre.
Read the articles on Canadian Architect and Design Quarterly.
recognition
2020
Governor General Medal in Architecture
2019
IOC IAKS Gold Award
Canadian Interiors Best of Canada Award
SCUP Excellence in Architecture
AIA/CAE Education Facility Design Award
2018
Lieutenant Governor of BC Medal
Ontario Association of Architects Award Finalist
Global Architecture & Design Award
AIA International Region Merit Award
AIA International Region Sustainability Award
Piscine Global Europe Pool Design Awards
Interior Designers of Canada Award
Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia Award
Engineers & Geoscientists of BC Sustainability Award
ASHRAE BC Chapter Technology Award
2017
Azure Magazine Ten Best Buildings
Athletic Business Facilities Award
2015
American School & University Architectural Portfolio
2014
Canadian Architect Award of Excellence