OVERVIEW
The Technical University of British Columbia began teaching students in the fall of 1999
with a mandate to specialize in computer-related studies. During its start-up phase,
Tech BC required interim facilities to be built within leased space in Surrey Place Mall.
The COLBORNE ARCHITECTURAL GROUP was retained in collaboration with Architectura
to undertake the design of the interim facilities as well as to plan for the interior fit-out
of the university’s permanent campus at Surrey Place. CAGP had primary responsibility
for the coordination, production and implementation of the design of the Interim
Facilities project, referred to by the client as “BetaSpace”. The project converted
approximately 70,000 square feet of former retail space into a fully functional interim
university facility.