A campus landscape shaped by trees, people, and innovation

  • ClientUBC Properties Trust
  • Completed2025
  • WithPatkau Architects, InterCAD Services Ltd.

UBC School of Biomedical Engineering
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

The School of Biomedical Engineering brings a vibrant new presence to the Medical and University Boulevard precincts, with a landscape vision rooted in preservation and enhancement. From the outset, the design prioritizes mature trees on site, framing the building with Oak and Atlas Cedar groves that become intimate pocket parks. Cedar decks wrap around these trees, creating warm, immersive spaces that invite gathering, pause, and connection within a richly layered landscape.

To the south, a courtyard anchored by fully grown London Plane trees offers generous seating and a comfortable outdoor environment for everyday use. The design embraces inclusivity and flexibility—most notably through a multi-functional “mega bench” at the entrance that serves as both a bus stop and an extension of adjacent retail space. At Level 3, a terrace supports a shared vegetable garden and outdoor dining area, extending the interior kitchen into an open-air setting and fostering community engagement through everyday interaction.