UBC OKANAGAN, SKEENA RESIDENCE Multi-unit residential building design takes care in detailing By Brian Wakelin The new UBCO Skeena Residence at the Okanagan Campus of the University of British Columbia comprises approximately 72,600 gross square feet over six storeys and has been designed to Passive House standards. The ground floor includes common housing amenities and building service spaces while the upper five storeys include accommodation for 220 students together with associated social spaces. Skeena completes an ensemble of residence buildings encircling the central green space on campus – known as Commons Field. The project focuses on student life and support services while meshing seamlessly with the existing campus.
On the first level, the Skeena Residence has a large laundry room located adjacent to the student lounge. Separated by a glass wall, the relationship between the two spaces encourages chance meetings and spontaneous gatherings. Moreover, the transparency offers passive surveillance, or visibility that promotes a sense of security. In short, the design of the building supports community life. The design of the Skeena residence was driven largely by the requirements of the build-
The five identical residential floors include shared bathrooms flanked by two bed-
ing program and by the successful layout of the
rooms. This layout allows space for quiet study when required. Additionally, each floor
neighbouring student residence. The two bed-
contains both a study lounge and a house lounge with views of the surrounding moun-
rooms with shared bathroom module uses an
tains, the lounge being equipped with a kitchenette, dining table and couches. Locating
optimal length and width, which also optimizes
these spaces at opposite ends of the floor ensures that quiet study is not interrupted by
the number of floors required to accommodate
noise from the social home lounge.
the building requirements – the objective being to minimize the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building.
1. View across the central green space to the UBCO Skeena Residence.
1 SABMag - WINTER 2021
41
