The new student residence tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ at the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey campus is a gateway building providing students with a vibrant, inclusive, and safe community. The site is comprised of five buildings of varying mid-rise heights wrapping around the perimeter of the existing Gage Residences precinct. By offering a number of mixed-use spaces with high visibility at street level, the residences reinforce and animate the major street frontages along Student Union Boulevard.

The residences are home to nearly 1000 students in a mix of four-bedroom apartments and studios. They include new spaces for meeting, socializing, fitness, music, dance, as well as student services and administration. In alignment with the University Boulevard Precinct Design Guidelines and Neighbourhood Plan, the new Student Residence will enrich the academic life of students by creating a “vibrant academic and social hub,” that provides a complete community for people to live, work, learn and play.

Our team led a digital design and construction process to optimize value and meet an accelerated project schedule that targets delivery by the start of the 2021/22 academic year. The project is designed to LEED Gold with a specific focus on reducing Green House Gas emissions and aggressive energy targets.

In collaboration with PFS Studio, the landscape architecture design strategy for the contiguous outdoor plaza space between residences sought to strengthen the area as community space. We designed canopies that offer shelter from the weather and a multi-use area for sitting, eating and studying. Positioned to follow pedestrian flows and reach out to the street, the canopies also act as a wayfinding tool.

The playful form offers a unique experience for users, creating interesting sun and shadow effects. Through collaboration with an indigenous artist, Kelly Cannell, a large public art component utilizes the canopies as a canvas for interaction and dialogue with British Columbia’s rich history.

Completed by Hotson Architecture Inc. (now SvN Architects + Planners) in association with Ryder Architecture.