tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ (The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater)

Vancouver, CA - Residential

Creating a vibrant academic and social hub.

Designed in association with Hotson Architecture, The University of British Columbia Student Residence was a project aimed to serve a community for people to live, work, learn and play. The five individual residential blocks together provide 1,000 beds for upper year students in a mix of four bedroom apartments and studios, serving as a gateway to the Vancouver campus.

Client
UBC Properties Trust
Location
Vancouver, CA
Sector
Residential
Status
Complete
Value
$125m/£65m
Area
34,800sqm
Expertise

Prioritising a trusted team culture.

UBC Student Residence was a multifaceted endeavour in which we engaged with indigenous communities and local stakeholders. All of our team were required to take a strategic and collaborative approach towards architectural design and building construction challenges, mirroring Ryder’s ability to be collaborative, agile and flexible throughout the project.

Distant photo of the buildings in the sun with a few people in the background
A few people strolling outside the campus buildings in daytime
A front-on exterior photo of one of the campus buildings, with people walking past blurred in motion
Blurred people walking around the multi-storied, glass-walled interiors of a campus building

Open communication for optimal results.

The impact of COVID-19, ongoing supply issues and the change of construction manager at the start of construction were met with open, respectful, and frequent communication by the design team with a focused approach to achieve project objectives maintained within the project schedule. From this, we have been able to integrate lessons learned into the client’s building design guidance.

A photo taken very close to a modern building looking up at gleaming windows against a blue sky
A figure walking between two modern buildings, one light one dark, with shining windows

A high quality design response with cultural recognition.

Not only has this project enriched the academic life of students by creating a vibrant academic and social hub, but UBC has strengthened its partnership with its host, the Musqueam Nation. Musqueam artwork is now installed in the lobby of every building alongside the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-language residence and house names introduced in spring 2021.

We are honoured to work on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Seĺíĺwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

Looking up double staircases in a large, double-storied open plan space
Blurred figures in a light, modern living space
Blurred figures in motion in a two-story, glass-walled gym
It is the university’s hope that through these names and the buildings’ design that residents and guests will develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of Musqueam history and storytelling.

Santa Ono

UBC president and Vice Chancellor, University of British Columbia

Two contemporary buildings side by side at dusk with a warm glow coming from within
A blurred figure walking up lime green stairs in an underground car park

Shaw Contract Design Awards

Best of Canada Winner

Architizer A+ Awards

Popular Choice Winner in the Residential, Affordable Housing

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