x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn
The 5-storey x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn building will facilitate world-leading interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary academic activities in Kelowna.
It will be the first new campus building since the 220-bed award-winning Nechako student housing residence completed by UBCPT in May 2021.
Through design and experience, the x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn building unites 5 core principles: Indigeneity, Interdisciplinary and Community Engagement, Flexibility, Wellbeing, and Sustainability.
Funded by UBC Okanagan’s capital reserves, the building will combine social and natural sciences, humanities including Indigenous programs, creative fields, and professional disciplines.
Monumental academia requires teaching spaces to match: Ix̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn will feature labs with 100- and 200-seat lecture halls, maker spaces, research labs, support spaces, offices, and community engagement spaces such as a collegium and Indigenous and multipurpose gathering areas.
We worked closely with stakeholders to understand the goals for the facility. Architectural design, textures, and palette were carefully chosen to reflect the natural landscape and Indigenous history surrounding the UBC Okanagan campus, creating a warm and inviting community ambience designed for collaboration.
