VANCOUVER, BC
University of British Columbia Arts Student Centre
The Arts Student Centre (ASC) at the University of British Columbia is a multi-purpose facility to advance the core mission of improving the academic, social, personal, and professional lives of Arts students.
The Arts Student Centre (ASC) at the University of British Columbia is a multi-purpose facility to advance the core mission of improving the academic, social, personal, and professional lives of Arts students.
The centre will also provide much-needed amenities to support the learning, social, collaboration, and innovation space needs of a diverse Faculty of Arts student population.
The three-storey steel structure has an open concept with large windows for light, ventilation, and all-around visibility. An abundance of wood and glass elements was used to create a warm, welcoming environment with ample natural light.
The building is also highly sustainable with LEED gold certification and passive ventilation.
Renderings courtesy Leckie Studio Architecture + Design.
The cylindrical form and pavilion-like structure with black exterior façade creates a bold visual contrast to the adjacent buildings and stands as an iconic new focal point. The architectural layout was planned such that more public spaces are at the bottom and more private areas at the top of the building. The main floor acts as a public space where students can meet and connect; the uppers floors have interconnecting space for concerts, gatherings, and art shows; and the top floor has bookable meeting rooms, and work and relaxation spaces. All of the building’s spaces revolve around the central atrium.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
CLIENT
UBC Properties Trust
ARCHITECT
Leckie Studio Architecture + Design
OUR ROLE(S)
Structural Engineering Consultant
SIZE
1,060 m² (11,400 ft²)
BUDGET
$10.8 M
MARKET (OFFICE)
VANCOUVER
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Challenge One
The cylindrical, open concept design has very limited solid walls for placement of a vertical seismic force system.
Solution One
A hybrid solution with a concrete shear core at the elevator and steel brace frames that were strategically placed and transition to flow along the inner wall of one of the perimeter curved staircases was designed as the seismic force resisting system to allow for openess of the spaces.
GALLERY
