The University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus on Point Grey is a treasure trove for architecture enthusiasts. A host of recent buildings combine bold designs with novel features that will be a boon to the community. Here is a look at what’s new, just in time for the 2014 winter session.
UBC Bookstore
The expanded UBC Bookstore is still about books and study essentials, but visitors are now greeted in a light and airy mezzanine. You will want to amble through the spacious clothing and gift area, check out the first Mountain Equipment Co-op outpost, stop by the café and corner store, and drop in on events held at the large outdoor plaza. The building’s exterior design features literary quotes submitted by the campus community. More info here. Photo: Latreille Delage Photography
Collegium in Ponderosa Commons
Nearly one-third of undergraduate students who live off campus face a commute that lasts an hour or more each way. That’s one of the reasons why UBC opened a “home away from home” for first-year commuter students last fall. The collegium in the Ponderosa Commons provides commuters with a place to hang out, meet new friends, make food, take a nap or study. More info here. Photo: Jon Chiang
The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
The new Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health brings cutting-edge research and patient care under one very stylish roof. Images of giant neurons splash across the Centre’s glass exterior. The interior was designed with patients in mind, offering short walking distances, simplified way finding and numerous places to rest. More info here. Photo: Don Erhardt
Mongolian-style yurt on the UBC Farm
A 65-square-metre yurt now sits on the grounds of the UBC Farm. The circular, semi-permanent tent-like structure is a centuries-old design common to Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia but a rare sight on a university campus. More info here. Photo: Martin Dee
Looking ahead: The AMS Student Nest, the new student union building
Students will have a new hang out of their own this year. UBC’s new student union building, the AMS Student Nest, opens its doors in January 2015. Built to LEED Platinum standards, the Nest is operated by the student-run UBC Alma Mater Society and was largely funded by UBC students. Once opened, the Nest will boast a three-storey climbing wall, daycare, rooftop garden, restaurants, and expanded area for student clubs. More info here. Photo: Don Erhardt