The University of British Columbia opened the renovated Biological Sciences Complex in Vancouver on August 31, 2011. Designed by Acton Ostry Architects with RFD (Research Facilities Design) as laboratory design consultant, the $45 million project provides 61,670 sf of laboratory and support space. The 170,000-sf complex houses aquaria, informal research spaces, updated classrooms, seminar rooms, faculty and administrative offices, and gathering spaces for the Departments of Botany and Zoology.
Designed to LEED Gold, the facility incorporates a partial building envelope upgrade; new thermally broken double-glazing; highly efficient lighting; advanced heating and cooling systems; heat recovery; high efficiency pumps; and reduced water consumption. A bioswale mitigates storm water runoff and a core sunlighting system illuminates three of the labs. New seismic upgrade measures were introduced to the exterior of the complex, including three seismic buttresses. The project eliminated approximately $56.2 million in deferred maintenance costs.
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Research Facilities Design (RFD)
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