Library Buildings around the World

Original features were retained where desirable, including fireplaces, stained glass, leaded windows and wainscoting. (B+H)
University of British Columbia Okanagan - Engineering, Management and Education Building, Kelowna
Canada 2011
Joint Venture in association with MQN Architects MQN Architects, Vernon, BC http://www.mqnarchitects.com
Client: UBC Properties Trust, Size: 174,957 ft² | 16,254 m2
The Engineering, Management and Education Complex (UBCO) contains both the Faculty of Applied Sciences (Engineering) and
the Faculty of Management. The two buildings are connected by a central atrium and organized around shared amenities, including
common areas, classrooms, lecture theatres and a collegium. Within each faculty area there are customized faculty and
administration offices, a variety of teaching and research labs as well as library facilities. The modularized building form is designed
to easily adapt to future expansion.
The west side of the Engineering and Management building contains three stories of laboratories. Engineering lab spaces contain
skylights for natural day lighting and reduce the overall load on artificial lighting. The use of natural ventilation and day lighting has
been employed throughout, with as many labs, offices and classrooms as possible having both operable and vision windows. (B+H)
University of New Brunswick — Hans W. Klohn Commons, Saint John´s, NL - 2010 Canada
B+H worked in association with Sasaki Associates.
Client: University of New Brunswick, Size: 40,000 ft² | 3,700 m²
The Commons is expected to become the heart of the UNB Saint John campus. This library will bring together the people, services
and activities that support the learning environment, creating a more integrated and nurturing student-focused academic
experience. In addition, it will provide gathering spaces that help to foster a sense of community for students, faculty and staff and
that can be used to draw people from the greater Saint John community to the campus.
This project is registered and targeting LEED Silver certification. (B+H)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Coast Capital Library, Surrey, BC – Canada 2010
Client: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Size 57,726 ft² | 5,363 m²
Awards:
Green GOOD DESIGN
The renovation and expansion for Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Coast Capital Library accommodates the expanding demand
and growth of the educational program and envisions a re-establishment of the Library as the primary building on campus and is
envisioned as the “campus heart”. The overall Library’s vision statement was to create “a dynamic centre dedicated to successful
learning”. The renovation incorporates a complete envelope remediation and the replacement of the existing entry with a revitalized
two storey glazed lobby space incorporating a gallery and sitting area on the ground floor and a study “balcony” on the second floor.
The central three storey atrium features north glazing providing natural daylight and visual transparency between the library and
the campus courtyard beyond. The atrium ground floor accommodates a 60 seat learning commons and provides a transition space
between the renovated north wing library and the new three storey west wing. The flexible east wing accommodates learning labs in
addition to group and individual study spaces. This project was completed by Bunting Coady Architects, who merged with B+H in
December 2010. (B+H)
Okanagan College Centre for Learning, Kelowna – Canada 2009
In association with MQN Architects
Client: Okanagan College, Size: 73,754 ft² | 6,852 m²
Awards:
Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board’s Commercial Zone’s Commercial Building Awards
Institutional Community Award, Green Award and Judge’s Choice (Awarded to Bunting Coady Architects who merged with B+H
in December 2010)
Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board’s Commercial Zone’s Commercial Building Awards
Institutional Community Award Size
LEED Gold Certified
The Okanagan College Centre for Learning is a 6,852m2 addition to the existing college library located in Kelowna, British
Columbia. The new five-storey interdisciplinary facility is connected to the existing building with a three story light filled atrium.
The primary gathering space is characterized by pedestrian street which stretches along the entire east/west axis. This space has
been conceived of as an agora which effectively binds the old to new, links the indoor and outdoor spaces, and creates a centralized
meeting space which encourages academic and social interaction.
The “Centre for Dialogue” is the focal sculptural element elevated within the main atrium. The circular room is constructed of local
wood and is designed to reflect the “basket art” of the indigenous people of the region which encourages the traditional learning
circle concept of education. This is consistent with the overall mandate of the learning centre’s initiatives to encourage the open
exchange of ideas and the development and application of critical thinking skills. The entire facility offers a variety of components to
educate visitors about the building’s mechanical systems and the overarching principles of sustainability and the buildings
relationship to environment.
Archives of Ontario / York Research Tower, Toronto, ON – Canada 2009
Client: PCL Contractors and Plenary Group, Size: 248,970 ft² | 23,130 m²
Awards:
CDBI: 2012 Award of Excellence - Runner-up
Located on York University's Keele Campus and envisioned as a hub of people and information, this project has three components:
a 3-storey, 127,220 square foot podium containing the new Archives of Ontario; the 6-storey, 121,750 square foot York Research
Tower; and a station entrance for the future Spadina subway line extension. The project has received LEED® Canada-NC Silver
certification. B+H and PCL Constructors Canada Inc. were members of the team led by the Plenary Group who was selected by
York University to design, construct, finance and operate this facility.
McGill University, Redpath Library Cyberthèque, Montréal, QC – Canada 2008
with ékm architecture (http://www.ekmarchitecture.com) , Montréal, Québec – Canada
930 m²
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