Credit: Michael Elkin Photography The University of British Columbia has officially opened the Gordon B. Shrum Building, the new home for the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), and Canada’s first purpose-built facility for biomedical engineering. Designed by Canadian architecture firm Patkau Architects, the building will provide a home for SBME, replacing its previously scattered locations across UBC’s Vancouver campus. The building, named in honour of the philanthropic legacy of Gordon B. Shrum, will bring together researchers, students and industry partners under one roof to advance biomedical research, education and innovation. The five-storey, 158,000-square-foot facility includes specialized labs, collaborative research spaces and teaching facilities to support biomedical engineering and life sciences innovation. Researchers will be able to use the space to develop new medical devices, artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics and lifesaving treatments, while students will gain hands-on training experience. SBME Director Dr. Peter Zandstra (right) with students in his lab. The $139.4-million project was funded through $25 million from the Government of British Columbia, $114.4 million from UBC and over $30 million in philanthropic support for SBME from donors, including the Gordon B. Shrum Charitable Fund, the Conconi Family Foundation, United Therapeutics Corporation, Dr. Jim McEwen, and Paul and Nicole Geyer. “We are grateful to the Government of British Columbia and our generous donors for helping make this building a reality,” said UBC president and vice-chancellor Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon. “B.C.’s life sciences sector has emerged as a global leader, and the Gordon B. Shrum Building will play a central role in supporting critical research and the next generation of biomedical engineers who will fuel the sector’s continued growth and bring innovative health solutions to Canadians.” The building’s visual centerpiece is a four-storey mural by biomedical artist Jen Ma. The artwork represents the multiscale nature of SBME’s research, illustrating how biology, medicine and engineering intersect—from molecular to cellular to systems levels—to advance human health. A mural by biomedical artist Jen Ma complements airy common spaces where UBC students, faculty and staff can connect and collaborate. “The School of Biomedical Engineering has been transforming health care through cutting-edge research, education, and partnerships since it was established in 2017,” said SBME director Dr. Peter Zandstra. “This state-of-the-art facility allows us to take our work to the next level—creating an environment where our faculty and partners can collaborate seamlessly and create transformative new health technologies.” The new facility includes biomechanics labs, the Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry, state-of-the-art digital labs, wet labs, and the Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators, and Entrepreneurs. Philanthropic support is also enabling SBME to recruit research expertise through the Sir Magdi Yacoub Professorship in Tissue Regeneration, made possible by a donation from the United Therapeutics Corporation. This position will drive collaborative research, education and training in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration, with the goal of making transplantable organs and organ alternatives accessible to everyone who needs them. The post UBC opens Patkau-designed Gordon B. Shrum Building appeared first on Canadian Architect.