University of British Columbia Opens School of Biomedical Engineering

The University of British Columbia opened a CAD 139.4 million (USD 100.3 million) facility for the School of Biomedical Engineering in April of 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. Designed by Patkau Architects and Architecture49, the 158,000-sf Gordon B. Shrum Building enables hands-on education and training for students in the life sciences and catalyzes innovative solutions for pressing health challenges. Consolidating the school’s operations from 24 locations across campus, the lower floors of the five-story structure house classrooms and learning spaces, with highly specialized labs on the upper levels.

Wet labs with advanced equipment are accompanied by digital labs that leverage artificial intelligence to improve the diagnostic process. A state-of-the-art biomechanics lab incorporates robotics and machinery to study crash testing, complemented by a biodevice center and a zone for prototyping and developing medical technologies. Representing Canada’s first purpose-built biomedical engineering facility, the development also accommodates a 250-seat lecture theater, collaborative research settings, offices, and a central atrium.

Glotman Simpson was the structural engineer, with InterCAD Services as civil engineer and AES as electrical engineer. WSP provided mechanical and sustainability engineering services, and Morrison Hershfield, now part of Stantec, consulted on the building envelope. The project team also included reLoad Sustainable Design, GHL Consultants, BKL Consultants, AME Group, Hapa Collaborative, and RWDI.