Our new home, UBC's Life Sciences Centre

After several years at the cozy Forest Sciences Centre and attendee numbers around 250, Northern Voice is expanding and—therefore—moving shop. While still on the University of British Columbia (UBC)'s Point Grey campus, this year's conference will be taking place in the Life Sciences Centre (LSC).

 

The LSC is a very beautiful building. Northern Voice will be using one of its giant, bright atriums for keynotes and as informal meeting space. While some of may miss the Forest Sciences Centre, we're very happy to be hosting this year's conference at the LSC.

 

 

The LSC is a juggernaut. At 52,165-sq. and five stories (and a $125-million price tag), it is UBC's largest building with enough floor space to cover six football fields. It was designed by Bunting Coady and Diamond Schmitt Architects and opened in six phases starting in September 2004. More than 2,600 people work in the LSC, including researchers, graduate students, medical students, professors and administrative staff, and it was built as a part of an initiative to double the number of medical school graduates in British Columbia.

 

In 2006, the LSC was awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council for its innovative sustainability features. LEED certification is awarded to leading-edge buildings that incorporate environmentally sustainable design, construction, and operational features to reduce environmental impact and, at the time, the LSC was the largest building in Canada to receive gold designation.

 

All LSC rooms being used by Northern Voice are wheelchair accessible. Maps and parking information is available here.