The $560m project establishes a new standard for sustainable and inclusive campus development for the first phase of UBC’s Lower Mall Precinct Plan.
Ryder Architecture, in partnership with 3XN GXN, is proud to announce that they will provide architectural services for the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Lower Mall Precinct Phase One project. This $560m endeavour includes the largest provincially funded housing project to date, delivering over 1,500 new beds and significantly contributing to British Columbia’s remaining target of approximately 6,700 new student housing beds by 2028.
The Lower Mall Precinct Phase One project will encompass five buildings, totalling 710,000 square feet. It will include an 18 storey tower, an eight storey mass timber hybrid prototype structure, and the adaptive reuse of a historic fire hall. The development also includes:
The project aims to set new standards for sustainability and inclusivity on campus. The buildings will target net zero emissions by 2035, achieve LEED Gold certification, and adhere to the UBC LEED Implementation Guide. They will be zero waste ready, achieving a 10% reduction in embodied carbon. Climate resilience and biodiversity are integral, aligning with provincial frameworks and UBC guidelines for climate adaptation and bird friendly design. Delivering inclusive design will include fully accessible architecture supportive of UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan and Positive Space Campaign.
“By integrating mass timber technologies and adhering to CleanBC initiatives, we are committed to advancing UBC’s sustainability goals,” said Adam James, principal at Ryder. “Our team, supported by 3XN GXN’s research driven studio, pioneers strategic sustainability within the construction industry.”
Ryder and 3XN GXN bring a wealth of experience to the project. Having established the Lower Mall Precinct Development Plan in partnership with Gehl Studio in 2023, the team has an intimate understanding of the site and UBC’s processes. Ryder’s previous collaborations on student housing—including the award winning tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ (The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater) residence—demonstrate a commitment to design excellence that aligns with UBC’s goals.
“Our partnership with 3XN GXN is based on shared values of placing people at the heart of architecture,” said James, “We are honoured to contribute to UBC’s vision of creating innovative, affordable, inclusive, and climate resilient student housing that enhances the overall university experience.”
Jens Holm, Partner in Charge for 3XN GXN in North America, added, “We are proud to be part of this transformative project and to be partnering with Ryder. It is exciting to work with an ambitious client like UBC, and we look forward to bringing our expertise in human-focused housing to the campus.”
In pursuit of innovation and sustainability, the architect team will create spaces that promote wellbeing, social interaction, and environmental stewardship. “Our approach goes beyond LEED to inherently address sustainability as part of our process,” noted James. “We focus on carbon, resilience, biodiversity, hydrology, and materials to create spaces that are not only sustainable but also enhance the wellbeing of their inhabitants.”
UBC’s Point Grey campus presents unique challenges and opportunities in one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets. The project’s focus on affordable, specialized housing addresses the pressing need for student accommodation in a socially cohesive environment while easing pressure on the local rental market beyond the campus.
The project’s objectives include community spaces that inspire and support human-centred design and wellbeing. Connecting campus residences through a social foundation, evolving a dynamic graduate community, incorporating forest ecology, and enabling the future of University Boulevard through cultural sensitivity and a spirit of innovation is representative of the shared conviction between Ryder and 3XN GXN that architecture should give back to people, communities and our planet.
Construction is set to begin in fall 2026, with the project expected to open for students in phases starting in fall 2028 and completing in fall 2029. “We work with clients we respect on projects we believe in,” said Holm. “This is an equal partnership, not a design and delivery model. Together, we will deliver the best project outcomes, enhancing learning and setting new standards for campus development.”