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J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 55 Health Sciences Centre – BCIT R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E S Y B C I T; P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y B I R D CO N S T RU C T I O N HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE – BCIT by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he British Columbia Institute of Technology's (BCIT) new Health Sciences Centre stands as proof that no matter how big and bold (and even complex) your vision is, with the right team, anything is possible. BCIT started off with a goal: to create one of the largest and most technologically-advanced health sci- ence education simulation centres in North America – a place that consoli- dates 29 programs u nder one roof, creates a physical manifestation of inter-professional education, and provides world-class health science education for more than 7,000 future health-care providers every year. Located on the gateway to the BCIT campus, the beautifully designed, four-storey building creates strong connections with the rest of the cam- pus. As BCIT's most sustainable building, the centre sets a new bench- mark that integrates environmental sustainability standards alongside human health and well-being. To fulfill such a grand vision, took, as described by Christie Paxton, senior project manager at BCIT, "a village." Paxton adds: "The design of the build- ing really was a collaborative process. There was a lot of specific equipment housed in this building that needed to be taken into account and a lot of stakeholders at the table. We needed to make sure all the intricate, compli- cated components work to create this hugely technological building." The Stantec design team came onboard early and worked closely alongside BCIT, Bird Construction, and PFS Studio to ensure their efforts resulted in a landmark building that would stand the test of time. "The concept of the building is called the four-corners because every side of the building is public," explains Eleonore Leclerc, architect at Stantec. "I really like the character of all the entrances, but my favou- rite is the student entrance, located on the southeast corner of the building. Observing student use of the site, we were inspired to create a shortcut that runs outside the building and con- nects the South side of the Campus to level 3 so that students running from one building to another between classes have direct access." Leclerc adds that among all the striking angles of the building, the southwest corner, with its large canti- lever projecting over White Avenue, is a highlight: "That corner was structur- ally challenging but looks so effortless with the double-height glazing below and the wood soffit/ceiling and open corner. The space creates the landmark gateway that BCIT was looking for." Dollina Rodocker, communications manager at Bird Construction, further describes the nine-metre cantilevered element projecting into the space: "Our structural team is very proud of that – it wasn't easy but creates a large statement that can be seen by the access road, and also creates a gener- ous canopy over one of the entrances, making it very dynamic." For the materials of the build- ing, BCIT wanted a lot of natural elements enhanced by natural day- light streaming into the building. "We have these floor-to-ceiling win- dows throughout and wood beams to give a natural feeling – this acts as an homage to the industry being taught at BCIT," says Paxton. Various structural systems were initially considered, but the team opted for concrete as the material of choice because, unlike most buildings, each floor within is unique. "It was also important for our team to use wood in a meaningful way, so we designed the social spaces exterior glazing with large two-storey-high glulam columns," says Leclerc. This play with wood can be seen on all the ceilings and soffits of the social spaces and ultimately creates a sense of warmth. The deconstructed atrium that con- nects the four corners guides your journey up through the building. Colour motifs ascend from earth tones at the ground level through greens and then blues as you get closer to the sky. The four-storey atria lights the building core, one of which will fea- ture designs from a local Indigenous artist. "The large image will cover the entire height of the building and will be bathed by natural light. It will also serve as an intuitive wayfinding strat- egy throughout the building. Natural sound consistent with the image will emerge from the atrium to create a calming environment connected to nature," says Leclerc. LOCATION BCIT, Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) ARCHITECT/STRUCTUR AL /MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL /CIVIL CONSULTANT Stantec GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Bird Construction L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PFS Studio TOTAL SIZE 106,660 square feet TOTAL COST $78.3 million

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