University of British Columbia, Aquatic Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
In Collaboration with Acton Ostry Architects
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10-Lane 54m FINA Competition Pool, 10-Lane 25m Lap Pool, Diving Well with Moveable Floor, Leisure Pool, Hydrotherapy Pool, Steam Room, Sauna, Lazy River, Wet Classroom, Spectator Viewing Areas
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2020 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture
2019 International Olympic Committee (IOC) / International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS): Architecture Prize
2019 Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) Excellence Award: Merit Award (New Building)
2019 American Institute of Architects (AIA) / Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE): Education Facility Design Award (Merit Award)
2018 American Institute of Architects (AIA) International: Award of Merit (Open International Architecture)
2018 American Institute of Architects (AIA): Sustainable Futures Award
2018 Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia: Medal in Architecture
2018 Ontario Association of Architects (OAA): Design Excellence Award Finalist
2018 Global Architecture & Design Award: ‘Re-Thinking the Future’ (First Award, Built Sports & Recreation)
2018 Piscine Global: Pool Design Award (3rd Place for "Most Beautiful Public Pool")
2018 Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC) Award of Excellence: Shine Award
2018 Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) Value of Design Award: Award of Excellence
2018 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) BC Chapter: Technology Award
2018 Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia: Sustainability Award
2017 Athletic Business: Facilities of Merit Design Award
2015 American School & University Architectural Portfolio Award: Work in Progress Citation
2014 Canadian Architect: Award of Excellence
The UBC Aquatic Centre is a central component in the rejuvenation of the university’s primary student precinct. As an infrastructural and gateway element, it enlivens the main transit plaza where many of UBC’s 50,000 students arrive each day. Full-height windows face the plaza, offering sightlines deep into the heart of the building and inviting passersby to enter.
The design team took a truly holistic approach to sustainable innovation by prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, transparency, and participation alongside physical comfort and health. This includes precedent-setting universal change spaces that supported a Gold Certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification program. A continuous ceramic frit pattern is located on all glazing, provided filtered views into areas like the universal changerooms and wet classroom.
A continuous ceramic frit pattern — conceptually derived from the abstraction of the large basins of water — creates a colourful screening quality diffusing both daylight and views through the plan. The bold pattern can be seen from the campus precinct; serving as both building expression and wayfinding.
