ÈȵãºÚÁÏ

VANCOUVER — UBC’s , is opening as a student health hub along with interdisciplinary teaching and collaborative research areas.

The 270,550-square-foot building is home to the school of nursing, consolidates kinesiology programs from eight campus locations and centralizes student health and wellbeing services for the first time, states a release.

Construction of the $207.9‑million project was made possible by the university and donors.

Students now have access to modern teaching facilities, labs and study spaces designed to encourage collaboration.

The facility includes two skills lab bays, high-fidelity simulation suites, a nursing history archival room, four research centres and specialized faculty labs supporting research areas including health equity, seniors care and advanced nursing technologies.

For the , the consolidation means labs, lecture theatres and faculty offices are now together, the release adds.

Two major research centres — the Centre for Sport and Sustainability and the Balance and Falls Research Centre — anchor interdisciplinary work.

In all, the building houses 300-, 200- and 138-seat lecture theatres and advanced teaching labs, and hosts outreach programs such as Active Kids, Changing Aging and the Brain Wellness Program.

The release states Gateway Health’s fourth floor will house a new , an interdisciplinary initiative through UBC Health that integrates education, research and care to address the evolving health needs of British Columbians.

The project was designed to achieve net-zero carbon certification and meet LEED, WELL and Rick Hansen accessibility standards. Its hybrid mass-timber structure makes sustainability visible.

The project was delivered with UBC Properties Trust, Perkins&Will, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and construction partners.

Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) representatives also shaped the project from the earliest planning stages, creating a vision for Musqueam culture.

Architectural elements include warm wood finishes, exposed timber, terracotta cladding and filtered daylight in the atrium. Artworks by six Musqueam artists have been installed indoors and outdoors.