BCIT: Creating a landmark aviation building ready for take off

The BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus is a landmark building, whose design was carefully constructed to accommodate two dichotomies – the bustling Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the calm residential neighbourhood and natural surroundings.

Kasian designed this campus for BCIT to allow the school to provide expanded aerospace programs and double its number of aerospace graduates. The campus is impressively equipped with the latest multimedia technologies, a 40,000 square foot hangar complex, and more than 40 classrooms and laboratories. These features, along with several sustainable architectural considerations, allow the facility to provide cutting-edge training for a high-tech industry while at the same time remaining mindful of the surrounding community.

Adjacent to YVR, residential neighborhoods, the environmentally sensitive Fraser River, highway frontage, and a restrictive flight path, the new campus presented a unique set of design challenges. In response, the design not only embraces the River, incorporative numerous sustainable principles, but also integrates the Campus with the surrounding community, as a cutting-edge, high-tech landmark, celebrating a dynamic aerospace learning program.

“In the context of a highly competitive global aviation market, BCIT sought to define a distinctive aviation program with a timeless building that would showcase aviation technology and become the preferred choice of both students and staff.” – Michael Mcdonald, Consulting Principal

“Kasian guided us to establish a shared creative vision that started with all stakeholders collaborating and identifying common words and phrases. These drivers were used to propel the project forward and help shape this iconic building that we are delighted with.” – John Wong, Director of Campus Planning, BCIT