New glass atrium entrances into UBC Robson Square proposed

Dec 20 2017, 5:00 am

The provincial government is planning begin another round of improvements to Robson Square that will improve access to the lower plaza level and ice rink and the University of British Columbia’s satellite campus.

Documents and drawings submitted by Stantec Architecture to the City of Vancouver indicate that there are plans to construct glass-enclosed atriums with stairwells on the western perimeter of the plaza space, on either side of Robson Street, to provide new vertical access and circulation.

The north atrium structure, next to the Vancouver Art Gallery, will be larger than the south structure and boast new six-foot-tall “UBC” stainless steel signage mounted to the existing concrete plantar edge. The letters will be a miniature version of larger UBC letters also found at the intersection of Wesbrook Mall and University Boulevard.

UBC has an 80,000-square-foot satellite campus under Robson Square, which is currently accessible through entrances on Hornby Street and the lower plaza level. The campus is mainly used by UBC Continuing Studies and the Sauder School of Business for part-time credit and non-credit programmes.

Just in time for the 2010 Olympics, Robson Square underwent a multimillion-dollar retrofit that included a new ice rink, new glass pagodas, new stone paving, improved accessibility and lighting.

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Image: Stantec Architecture

Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly indicated the project is moving forward. The project is currently still in the planning/approval stages.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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