Green Building Projects
UBC Okanagan integrates sustainability into campus development through high-performance buildings, resilient infrastructure and nature-based systems that support both environmental and community wellbeing.
Featured projects
UBC Okanagan is advancing bold, sustainability-focused development through key projects:
x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn (currently under construction) is a new academic facility designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration and team-based learning. The building targets LEED® Gold certification and incorporates advanced sustainability features, including:
- Passive design strategies that significantly reduce energy and carbon emissions.
- A high-performance envelope, heat recovery systems, and energy-efficient lighting with daylight and occupancy controls.
- Canada’s longest earth tube system for passive ventilation.
- Aircuity lab ventilation to enhance efficiency and indoor air quality.
The building is projected to consume 63 per cent less energy and emit 92 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a standard LEED® baseline facility—setting a bold precedent for future campus development.
The surrounding landscape design preserves a large area of intact native trees and naturalized understory along Alumni Avenue and the east side of the site. Developed in collaboration with the En’owkin Centre and Traditional Ecological Knowledge keepers, the project features extensive indigenous planting. No formal lawns are included; instead, small areas will be hydroseeded using a locally appropriate, naturalized seed mix.
Recently, the development of a conceptual design for the Outdoor Gathering Space project was proposed within the area east of the existing campus pond.
This project was developed in alignment with UBCO’s 2019 commitments in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and will address ambitions for ecological restoration, traditional food harvesting and preservation, a medicine garden, an outdoor learning structure, gathering circle and fire pit as well as other flexible spaces for teaching and learning.
Completed projects
Several completed projects across campus reflect UBCO’s commitment to green building principles. These include facilities that reduce energy consumption, improve occupant wellbeing and integrate sustainable materials and systems—contributing to a more efficient and low-carbon campus environment.
Completed in 2021 and achieving LEED® Gold Certification in 2023, Nechako Student Residence and Commons Block is a mixed-use hub that combines 220 student resident housing units with 24-hour services and amenities and a 450-seat dining hall. Social shared spaces integrated into the building’s design offer students many opportunities for social engagement.
The facility is also the most recent to be connected to the campus district energy system, which provides a low-carbon energy supply.
Completed in 2020, the Skeena Residence provides 220 student resident units, including lounges, informal study spaces, activity room and laundry facilities.
Passive House certification is an internationally recognized energy standard characterized by a highly efficient building envelope and heat recovery ventilation system.
The Skeena Residence became Canada’s first Passive House Certified dormitory in 2022.
Completed in 2018 and achieving LEED® Gold Certification in 2023, The Commons library expansion provides students with an additional 6,596 m2 of study, learning and collaborative space while using no natural gas for environmental comfort.
Its HVAC system was integrated into the campus’ low-temperature district energy system, which is used to heat and cool the building, reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources.
Completed in 2014, the Engineering, Management and Education Building was awarded LEED® Gold certification and is the Okanagan campus’ largest building, offering 16,520 m2 to accommodate classrooms, laboratories, offices, collegiums and food services.
Over the last three years, the building’s natural gas consumption has averaged 427 GJ per year due to its connection to the campus District Energy System; an average home in Canada consumes 88.4 GJ per year.
Awarded LEED® Gold certification in 2013, the Reichwald Health Sciences Centre is a 5,201 m2 multi-use facility containing two large lecture theatres, laboratories and offices.
Reichwald Health Sciences Centre is also home to the Southern Medical Program’s students, faculty and staff.
The 6,208 m2 residence is connected to a closed-loop geo-exchange heating and cooling system, utilizes solar panels to preheat the domestic water and is home to the Sustainable Leadership Living Learning Community.
Five Green Globes certification was awarded to the Arts and Sciences Centre in 2010. This achievement made this building and the Charles E. Fipke Centre for Innovative Research the first paired facilities to be certified in Canada.
Offering 7,802 m2 of mixed-use space, the Arts and Sciences Centre provides a large lecture hall, laboratories and office space as well as food services.
In 2007, the Charles E. Fipke Centre for Innovative Research achieved Five Green Globes certification, the equivalent to LEED ® Platinum.
As the first building to connect to the campus District Energy System, this 6,725 m2 mixed-use facility has reduced its natural gas consumption by 91 per cent from 2013 to 2020.