The Colborne Architectural Group's consultant team was successful in being selected by UBC Land & Building Services to carry out a major retrofit of the Harold Copp Research Building under the BC Government-funded 'Renew' Program. This 3-storey, 80,000 GSF concrete frame building was constructed c. 1961 with additions in 1967 and 1979. After years of intense use as a research facility, the building was in need of substantial upgrade and replacement of all major elements - exterior and interior - as well as creating new undergraduate teaching labs and offices.

The project is programmed to accommodate the changing teaching needs of the Departments of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Biology and Microbiology, requiring major re-planning of the lower, main and 2nd floors with the upper (3rd) floor left as research lab space. Work includes full seismic upgrade; provision of new fire and life safety systems; new building envelope components including roof, glazing and wall assemblies; new accessible washrooms and elevator; and all-new teaching labs, furnishing and equipment with support facilities including Preparation Rooms and faculty offices. The design approach also requires a carefully 'phased construction' concept in order to maintain limited teaching and research uses in the building while major construction proceeds. Construction estimate: $16.4M, 2008-10.