This signature building designed to house Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s high-tech Trades, Technology and Applied Training programs creates a new gateway for this stream of education programs at KPU. Featuring a double-height atrium made of wood and glass accented with translucent coloured panels, the main lobby area is illuminated by natural light. Creating a compelling entrance, the entry invites students, staff and visitors to explore interior spaces. Connecting to the outdoors is vital for buildings like this that include large industrial spaces for intensive trades training. This connection is also evident in the indoor “covered street,” which provides visual and physical access to every floor and ensures optimum natural light penetration and ventilation.

A celebration of craftsmanship is put on display throughout the facility to enhance the learning experience for students by having the construction as a “living lab.” Demonstrating quality design and providing students with examples of superior built details, the Trades & Technology Centre creates spaces that inspire students to approach their work with a passion for construction, detailing and workmanship.

In keeping with highly sustainable building practices, the Centre saves approximately 30% in energy usage annually, which is enough to power nineteen typical Vancouver homes every year. The Green Power purchased for the Centre also equates to enough renewable energy to replace 100% of the building’s regulated electrical usage, directly contributing to the developing renewable energy infrastructure. The building also reduces 60 tons of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions annually.