The Arts Student Centre is conceived as a compact stand-alone structure with a total net area of approximately 11,700 sq ft. It is intended to be an efficient, multi-purpose facility that will advance the core mission of the Arts Undergraduate Society at the University of British Columbia.
The circular form and radial organization are highly integrated approaches to program, context, environment, and the social mission of the Arts Student Centre. The program rotates at every floor level as one spirals up the building. The ground floor operates as a public threshold to the Brock Commons green space to the north. The second-floor common space focuses inward, but maintains connections to the University Commons through an exterior covered patio to the south and cafe overlooking Brock Commons to the north. Focused and quiet spaces on the third floor overlook the common space below through an atrium that is tuned for natural ventilation, daylighting and acoustics. The radial plan allows program activity to continuously and serendipitously overlap - encouraging interaction between diverse disciplines and activities.
Within the urban context, the cylindrical form clearly identifies the Arts Student Centre as a community hub and unique pavilion for gathering. The building rounds the corner of Walter Gage Road and East Mall, occupying a multi-sided space in the urban room of Brock Commons and setting up a subtly different relationship between adjacent academic and student housing buildings. The structure and facade control solar heat gain and express the radial and rotational organization of the program in relation to surrounding buildings. The cylinder is also a highly efficient volume for building envelope thermal performance. Warm black metal cladding and fins accent neighboring buildings and express the programmatic relationship between buildings. Wood interior finishes provide a welcoming atmosphere and acoustical performance. Covered outdoor spaces and landscaped areas face related programs in adjacent buildings, augment internal programs, and provide rain-protected outdoor areas with direct daylight and solar shading.
