Stantec completed the forward thinking Health Sciences Centre for the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Burnaby, Canada.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) recognized the need to provide world-class health science education to meet the growing demand from healthcare providers. Their answer was to create one of the largest health science education simulation centers in North America.

Stantec designed the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) that consolidated 32 programs under one roof and created a physical manifestation of interprofessional education.

The 106,000-square-foot urban site presented a unique challenge—a building with four frontages. In response, the Stantec team designed a “four-corner” concept that positions each façade as a front door, immediately orienting and connecting students, faculty, and visitors to the main circulation, the Commons.

The Commons is composed of three bleacher-style tiered staircases—the Amphitheatre, the Study, and the Garden. These formal spaces each intentionally support three learning typologies: large lecture-style gatherings, group work, and solitary study. At every floor, students can step-out to generous vegetated roof terraces that support accessible moments of decompression in a learning environment which can often be stressful and overwhelming.

The new HSC puts student wellness at the forefront. In recognition of that mission, HSC has achieved WELL Precertification—a standard which seeks to support and advance human health and wellness along with targeting a highly energy efficient and low-carbon building footprint—as well as Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Gold certification.

Design: Stantec Contractor: Bird Construction Photography: Barrie Underhill

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