A new gateway to the Burnaby campus
Made possible by a $5 million donation from the Beedie Foundation and led by Ryan and Cindy Beedie, the plaza is the new landmark gateway to the BCIT Burnaby Campus. Enhancing the experience of BCIT students, the plaza not only provides expansive outdoor space where students can connect, study, or collaborate, but also is an important milestone in the journey to make the campus more pedestrian friendly.
Key project aims
This gateway space is intended to achieve a number of key objectives for the BCIT Burnaby campus:
- To establish an entry gateway from Willingdon Avenue
- To create a clearer campus identity
- To provide priority for a pedestrian environment over vehicles
- To provide weather protection for transit users
- To animate and enhance the existing plaza to provide a social hub for campus
Public transport is already a popular way of getting to campus and we want to promote its use even further.
This project will focus improving the experience for pedestrians and transit users, by improving access, providing weather protection for transit users and creating clear wayfinding to prioritize sustainable modes of transportation.
Technology and Sustainability
Mass Timber Construction
A mass-timber canopy will provide weather protection. Mass timber construction uses engineered wood as a sustainable and renewable material for the structural elements of a building. Mass timber products are compressed layers of wood, that are normally prefabricated off-site.
Efficient Water Systems
The plaza will include a rain garden, and an irrigation system that uses sensors to make it more efficient and avoid wasting water when it’s raining. The project will also enhance storm drainage systems and use the run off water to irrigate the rain garden.
Public transport
This project will focus improving the experience for pedestrians and transit users, by improving access, providing weather protection for transit users and creating clear wayfinding to prioritize sustainable modes of transportation.
