Awards

Vancouver Regional Construction Association, Award of Excellence, 2007

The Buchanan Complex is a landmark of Vancouver's history of modern architecture. It is a complex of simple concrete frame buildings made of repetitive units that skillfully negotiates the site's topography creating a series of open and covered courtyard spaces. After nearly 50 years of existence the courtyards' vegetation has matured substantially, creating pleasant spaces of varying scale and light quality. In contrast the buildings' interior spaces have not aged with the same grace.

Busby Perkins+Will was asked to upgrade the building complex at its mid-life span. The firm's work included a complete overhaul of the existing mechanical, electrical systems and seismic upgrading. In addition to this the complex was modernized to suit the new campus context. Existing classrooms were reconfigured for more flexibility, and more office spaces are now available for graduate student research. Furthermore, the complex participates in the new "university city" by reaching out to the campus with more social spaces that operate around the clock.

This complex is the primary facility for the faculty of arts, which is the largest faculty at the University of British Columbia, and aims at implementing sustainable features to achieve LEED Gold status.

Busby Perkins+Will also conducted a full refit of the buildings' interiors, including an audit of existing resources and selection and sourcing of new furniture for the buildings' classrooms, offices, and auxiliary spaces.

The renovation presented an opportunity to implement a consistent furnishing strategy for the Buchanan complex, one which provides a more cohesive and thoughtful appearance to the Faculty of Arts, create happier and healthier users, and provide a tool for fulfilling future furnishing needs. In keeping with the building's LEED Gold target, the interiors package are durable, multi-functional, and highly sustainable.