Bold Architecture, Precise Engineering: UBC Arts Student Centre

When UBC commissioned a $10 million Arts Student Centre on their Point Grey campus, they weren't just building another student facility. They were creating an architectural statement that would redefine how students collaborate and connect. For this striking three-storey cylindrical building designed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design, Somatic delivered the $1.2 million mechanical and plumbing installations needed to bring this bold vision to life.

Architectural Complexity Meets Technical Precision

The Arts Student Centre's distinctive cylindrical design presented unique installation challenges. Traditional rectangular building layouts don't easily adapt to curved walls and unconventional geometries. Our team installed mechanical and plumbing systems for the 1,000 square metre facility, ensuring optimal performance within the building's striking architectural form.

The three-storey structure required careful installation of mechanical distribution and plumbing infrastructure, all while maintaining the clean aesthetic lines that make this building a campus landmark.

Supporting Student Life and Programming

This isn't just a building - it's a dynamic hub for student life. The facility needed flexible building systems capable of supporting diverse functions, from intimate student club meetings to large-scale events and programming. Our mechanical systems provide precise environmental control for varying occupancy levels and activities.

The space serves as more than a meeting place. It's designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among Arts students, requiring building systems that can adapt to spontaneous gatherings, scheduled programming, and everything in between.

Installation Excellence for Academic Success

Opening in November 2021, the Arts Student Centre represents UBC's commitment to enhancing student experience through thoughtful facility design. The mechanical and plumbing systems we installed needed to operate reliably and efficiently while supporting the university's performance goals.

Every mechanical and plumbing system was installed with the user experience in mind. Quiet operation for study spaces, responsive climate control for comfort during events, and robust infrastructure to support the facility's demanding operational requirements.

Investment in Community

The $10 million investment reflects UBC's understanding that student success extends beyond classrooms. This facility demonstrates how proper building systems can support community building and student engagement. Our role was ensuring that technical infrastructure never interferes with the building's primary mission: bringing students together.

The successful completion of this project showcases Somatic MEP's ability to work within challenging architectural constraints while delivering systems that enhance rather than compromise design intent.