Located in Richmond, British Columbia, the Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a 4 story 52,000 sf building featuring significant use of mass timber beams and columns in an open, interconnected floor space design. This Mass Timber post and beam structure is combined with Q-Deck concrete and CLT decking. This building houses 651 Students and is nearly completely encapsulated in curtain walls of glass.
This platform meant for the development of creative professionals offers innovative education in fashion, interior, graphic and product design, as well as an applied research studio laboratory where transformative leaders, design innovators, and strategic technologists will emerge as leaders of design industries.
The design responds to site conditions with a very light yet rigid structure of oversized glue-laminated beams, referencing ship construction. And to address a more urban future, the new building frames a central green space, creating spaces for study, animation, and gathering.
PROJECT DETAILS
client: KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
general contractor: DGS Construction Company Ltd.
architect: Public Architecture and KPMB Architects
engineer: Fast + Epp Structural Engineers
completion date: Fall 2017
scope of work: Design Assist, Mass Timber Procurement and Installation
The province is home to world-class technical apparel companies, and we now have a state-of-the-art facility and training programs to supply the technical demand.
Chip Wilson
