C. K. Choi Building, Research facility at University of British Columbia, Canada.
The C. K. Choi Building is a research facility at the University of British Columbia composed of five connected volumes. The structure uses natural ventilation through operable windows across three floors and includes sensor-controlled lighting systems alongside rainwater collection tanks for irrigation.
The building opened in 1996 and incorporated timber elements from the adjacent 1941 Armory building, which was used for military training during World War II. This reuse of existing materials reflected a broader commitment to sustainable design and preserving historical resources.
The Institute of Asian Research operates from this building, where five stone boulders in the Stone Garden courtyard represent Confucian principles. Students and researchers use the space as a hub for studying and discussing Asian cultures.
The building is accessible from multiple campus entrances, with its internal layout designed to make moving between research areas straightforward. Visitors will notice the natural light and open interior spaces that define the building's design approach.
Roughly half of the building materials came from reclaimed sources, including bricks salvaged from downtown Vancouver streets and wooden beams from demolished structures. This material recovery made the project an early example of sustainable construction practices in Canadian academic building.
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