Just in time for the new school year, the Burnaby campus of British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has opened its first new purpose-built student housing building.
The Tall Timber student housing tower was built on the site of a surface parking lot south of the SW3 building on the western edge of the campus, next to Willingdon Avenue.
Construction first began in late 2022, and the project now doubles the number of on-campus student housing beds to roughly 800.
This is a 12-storey, mass-timber building, containing 469 student beds in a mix of communal-style single and studio units, as well as common areas, study and office spaces, and a new plaza.
“The Tall Timber student housing project reflects BCIT’s commitment to fostering vibrant and inclusive communities that advance student success,” said Jeff Zabudsky, president of BCIT, in a statement. “In collaboration with the Province of British Columbia and generous donors, BCIT is helping students thrive while preparing them for meaningful careers that drive prosperity in B.C.”
Jessie Sunner, B.C. Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, added, “This new facility will offer students more housing options steps away from their classes, reduce commute times and ease pressure on the local rental market. With better access to housing, students can focus on developing the skills they need for their desired career and help drive our workforce forward.”
BCIT Burnaby’s Tall Timber Student Residence now complete. (BCIT)
BCIT Burnaby’s Tall Timber Student Residence now complete. (BCIT)
As part of the provincial government’s broader strategy of significantly expanding on-campus student housing options, $129 million in provincial funding was provided toward the project, and BCIT provided an additional $3 million through fundraising.
Designed by architectural firm Perkins&Will and structural engineering firm Fast+Epp, the new BCIT student housing tower was built in a way that makes rooms more open and construction faster.
Instead of having big steel columns sticking into units, the columns are hidden inside the walls, so the units do not have awkward obstacles. Large prefabricated cross-laminated wood timber (CLT) panels are made off-site and then brought in, which speeds things up. The elevator and stair cores used a steel frame system that can be built quickly, letting other parts of the building move ahead without delays.
However, there have been some delays; from the outset, when construction first began, the project was targeted for a Fall 2024 completion.
This Tall Timber student housing tower is Burnaby’s tallest mass-timber building.
BCIT Burnaby’s Tall Timber Student Residence now complete. (BCIT)