AMS Student Nest

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This unique building represented a joint effort between B+H Architects and DIALOG Architects, which envisioned the new student union building for the University of British Columbia Alma Mater Society (AMS). The process began with a group preselected proponents create digital video presentations on Youtube as a means of engaging with the students, who not only represented the end user, but also the client. Our winning design integrated the needs of the student through multiple design workshops that insisted on the building function as a student hub, academic support facility, teaching and research space, and most importantly an embodiment of sustainable building design. The end result was a building that is in harmony with its landscape, and provides superior comfort for its users, the students. Utilizing various technologies and systems to provide this comfort, such as displacement ventilation, radiant heating and cooling, solar thermal collection, heavy timber hybrid structure, and advanced water management, the building strives to be a vanguard of environmentally conscious design. With its high performance building envelope systems, the building achieves an annual energy use of 75kWh/m2, considerably below what the average commercial building (approx. 335kWh/m2), a remarkable feat given its ample light and 11700m2 floor area.

Project Role: Designer

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Client: University of British Columbia - Alma Mater Society (AMS)