ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

UBC Biodiversity Centre Expansion by Public Architecture + Design

architecture-design · 2026-08-08

The Beaty Biodiversity Centre at the University of British Columbia has undergone a significant expansion on its Point Grey campus, increasing its area by 4,400 square meters for research facilities, offices, and collections. Completed in 2025 and designed by Public Architecture + Design, this expansion serves as the new base for the Conservation Science Initiative. Various engineering and consulting firms, such as WSP Canada, AME Consulting Group, and Stantec Consulting, contributed to the project. This development not only enhances UBC's biodiversity district but also integrates seamlessly with the campus, bolstering efforts in biodiversity research and conservation. Photographs were captured by Andrew Latreille.

Key facts

  • The University of British Columbia has completed a major expansion of the Beaty Biodiversity Centre.
  • The expansion is located on the Point Grey campus along Main Mall.
  • It adds research spaces, offices, and collections.
  • It houses the new headquarters of the Conservation Science Initiative.
  • The expansion adds 4,400 square meters of built area above and below ground.
  • The project was designed by Public Architecture + Design.
  • The project area is 4,428 square meters.
  • The project year is 2025.
  • Principal architects: Martina Caniglia, Shane O’Neill, Brian Wakelin, Yiyi Zhou.
  • Contractor: Etro Construction.
  • Structural engineer: WSP Canada.
  • Mechanical engineer: AME Consulting Group.
  • Fire suppression engineer: AME Consulting Group.
  • Electrical engineer: AES Engineering.
  • Civil engineer: Stantec Consulting.
  • Geotechnical engineer: Frontera Geotechnical.
  • Building envelope: Evoke Engineering.
  • Code consultant: McAuley Consulting.
  • Alternative solutions consultant: GHL Consultants.
  • Landscape architect: hapa Collaborative.
  • Commissioning authority: Kane.
  • Photographer: Andrew Latreille.
  • Category: Research Center, Educational Architecture.

Entities

Artists

  • Martina Caniglia
  • Shane O’Neill
  • Brian Wakelin
  • Yiyi Zhou

Institutions

  • University of British Columbia
  • Beaty Biodiversity Centre
  • Conservation Science Initiative
  • Public Architecture + Design
  • Etro Construction
  • WSP Canada
  • AME Consulting Group
  • AES Engineering
  • Stantec Consulting
  • Frontera Geotechnical
  • Evoke Engineering
  • McAuley Consulting
  • GHL Consultants
  • hapa Collaborative
  • Kane

Locations

  • Vancouver
  • Canada
  • Point Grey campus

Sources