British Columbia Institute of Technology Health Sciences Centre

Post-secondary institutions are environments that nurture and grow students and their individual sensibilities. The design of The British Columbia Institute of Technology Health Sciences Centre (HSC) utilizes innovative programming to support a wide range of student learning modalities. A 9,850-square-metre four-storey building, the HSC encourages interprofessional education by consolidating 29 post-secondary programs under one roof. Centered around learning, connectivity, and accessibility, the HSC links academic and technical precincts of the campus, with four facades of the building acting as distinct front doors, immediately orienting visitors to the main circulation - “The Commons”. This space features three bleacher-style staircases, designed with specific learning typologies in mind and intentionally offering diversity to the learning experience, reflecting its fluid nature, and supporting both formal and informal learning environments. Flowing from one section to the next, it creates one of the largest health science education simulation centres in North America. The spaces support extensive simulations mimicking a wide variety of healthcare settings, including an operation/trauma room, ICUs, NICUs, clinic spaces, home care (with associated medical equipment), and VR/AR simulation space. This simulation centre prepares students for technical, real-world circumstances while areas such as The Commons allows for social connectivity and exploration of the theoretical. At four storeys, elevator needs are minimized, promoting stair use, and creating a journey through the building. Accessibility via ramps/lifts throughout the facility creates equity for all users; the project has received Rick Hansen Gold Certification. Aesthetically, the building balances color, light, and material. The Commons utilizes natural light, natural wood ceilings (providing acoustic dampening), diverse indigenous and medicinal plants, and an indigenous-created mural that celebrates the connection between nature and the city. Such form-related details support both mental and physical well-being and have allowed the HSC to pursue a WELL™ Gold Building Standard Certification.