I am sharing an update on the Strategic Plan deliverable I’m leading, which falls under our commitment to delivering future-proof applied education. More particularly the delivery of capital projects that will underpin the transformation of the Burnaby Campus.
The BCIT Campus Plan focuses on transforming the Burnaby Campus through capital builds, including the Health Sciences Centre (HSC), Tall Timber Student Housing, and Trades and Technology Complex.
Health Sciences Center (HSC)
In September 2022, the first cohort of BCIT students began classes in the state-of-the-art HSC. This was an exciting moment as it marked the completion of the first major project within the BCIT Campus Plan.
The features evident in the HSC building include flexible modern learning spaces, sustainable materials and systems, as well as Indigenous design elements – all examples of features that will be prominent in future capital projects.
Student Plaza
Next to the HSC is the new Student Plaza that is slated for completion this spring. With the recent installation of the pedestrian canopy and special landscaping features, the Student Plaza will act as a unified centre for the Burnaby Campus, providing an open-air social space for the BCIT community to enjoy.
Tall Timber Student Housing
Further along White Avenue on Burnaby Campus, construction developments are underway on the future site of the Tall Timber Student Housing Complex. In late 2022, the project achieved a major milestone with the arrival of a crane on site. This crane will aid in installing the cross-laminate timber panels and modular wall system, both major parts of the innovative design.
As the largest mass timber building in Burnaby, Tall Timber Student Housing will showcase a host of sustainable features that aid in making it energy efficient. This includes a high-performance envelope which decreases cooling energy needs in the summer and decreases heating needs in the winter, as well as highly efficient, roof-mounted heat recovery ventilators (HRVs). The project is slated to complete in early 2025.
Trades and Technology Complex
We also received confirmation of provincial support for the BCIT Trades and Technology Complex last year. This multi-building project will further transform the north side of the Burnaby Campus.
BCIT has recently appointed three leading architectural teams to work with us on delivering the three major elements of the Trades and Technology Complex. One team will lead work on the Concert Properties Trades and Technology Centre, the second will be focusing on the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion and the Marine and Mass Timber Workshop, and the third will be responsible for the Campus Services Centre.
The three firms will be consulting with stakeholders across the Burnaby Campus to make sure the buildings deliver everything our community members need. We look forward to sharing more details about these projects as the design process progresses.
We are also looking forward to sharing regular updates about how we continue to transform BCIT’s campuses into vibrant spaces that support innovation and collaboration, providing an outstanding experience for our community.
We encourage you to visit the BCIT Campus Plan website for more information on the following developments.
Thank you,
Vice President, Campus Planning and Facilities
Commitment: Future-proof applied education
Initiative: Augmented and sustainable environments
Deliverable: Progression of capital builds, including the Health Sciences Centre, Student Housing, and Trades and Technology Complex
Deliverable lead: Danica Djurkovic, Vice President, Campus Planning and Facilities