Exchange Residence and UBC Bus Exchange

Location: Vancouver, BC
Client: University of British Columbia / TransLink
Completion: 2019
Size: 27,592 sq m

297,000 sq ft
Sustainability: Targeting LEED® Gold certification
Collaborators: AME Consulting Group

AES Engineering

BKL Consultants

Bunt & Associates

Core Group Consultants

Geopacific Consultants

Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers

Heatherbrea Builders

Murray & Associates

Opus International Consultants Limited

PFS Studio
DIALOG Services: Architecture

Interior Design

Landscape Architecture

This unique transit-oriented project is the product of a long-term development collaboration between DIALOG, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and TransLink. UBC wanted to build more student beds and TransLink had a mandate to deliver a new bus exchange, but both were running into space constraints on campus. The team came up with an innovative solution to the problem: build up, rather than out. The result was a new 650-bed student residence built on a two-storey podium over much of the second-busiest TransLink bus exchange in the Lower Mainland, thereby maximizing the density and land use on this part of campus. DIALOG also provided LEED® consulting services on this project.

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exchange residence main view v2 — Like a sentry into campus The 12-storey main tower at Exchange Residence creates a gateway on this main route into campus. The building steps down to eight storeys to the west, and five to the south.

exchange residence podium bus loop — An imposing presence The four buildings of Exchange Residence are clearly visible from the air. It’s also possible to see the size and scope of the green space and landscaping on the adjacent podium.

exchange residence lobby lounge v2 — Impressive lobby The lobby at Exchange is an impressive and inviting space. A smooth transition from the lobby to the outdoor podium is achieved through unexposed high volumes and unimpeded views.

exchange residence lounge — Lounge for relaxing Just off the main lobby of Exchange is a lounge for residents to enjoy. It features a fireplace, booths, comfortable seating and even kitchen facilities – all the comforts of home.

exchange residence collegium — Ground-level collegia The collegia are a home-away-from-home environment where first-year students who don’t live on campus could rest, eat, study, and even nap between classes.

exchange residence collegium kitchen — Social spaces The collegia have a residential feel in a double-height volume while maintaining daylighting and views into the second level. The kitchen space allows for meal prep.

exchange residence collegium cave — Room to study The collegia are made homey through varied wood tones, fireplaces, cozy dens, residential-style furniture, and eclectic lighting.

exchange residence elevator lobby — Important wayfinding Unique color blocking is an important wayfinding tool in the elevator lobbies. Special wood treatments are incorporated into the lobbies to connect them visually to other parts of the building.

exchange residence nano desk — Nano suites The nano suites contain all of the essential elements for student living, including a Murphy bed specially designed by the DIALOG Interior Design team that folds down into a desk.

exchange residence nano bed — All you need There are 71 nano suites in Exchange Residence, and all reports to date about these spaces has been exceedingly positive. Students are loving their compact living spaces.

exchange residence nano bed bathroom — Full facilities Each of the nano suites has its own bathroom tucked away in the corner. A translucent partition, rather than solid wall, ensures that light enters the space.

exchange residence nano kitchen — What's for dinner? Nano suites have their own small kitchen spaces, providing complete independent living for students.

exchange dorm living room — Simple student living Multi-person dorm room spaces at Exchange Residence are designed to be simple and functional for two to four residents. Living rooms are large enough for entertaining and studying.

exchange residence podium bus layover v2 — Covering the bus layover The podium beside Exchange Residence serves as a green space for residents, as well as an ingeneous physical barrier between the buildings and the bus layover area below.

exchange residence deck v2 — Shaded deck on the podium The Landscape Architecture team added a deck with shade trees to the podium. This aerial perspective also shows plantings on the podium.

exchange residence podium 2 2 — The view from the podium The massive 43,000 sq ft podium features a large turf area, a deck with shade trees and a long line of aspens that flutter in the wind and bring a sense of movement to the space.

exchange residence podium 3 — Trees for movement The Landscape team sought to bring a sense of movement to the podium, and were able to achieve this with a long line of aspens beside the building that flutter in the wind.

exchange residence exterior stairs 2 — Stairs on the south end There are staircases on the south and west ends of the podium for residents to access the podium and residence buildings. The bus layover is visible to the left of the staircase.

exchange residence townhouse exterior — Ground-level townhouses There are 15 ground-level townhouses built into Exchange Residence. These two-bedroom units are designed for small families or couples who want to live on campus but not in a dorm.

exchange residence bus loop — Building up, not out The idea of building the residences above the bus layover allowed the design team to deliver both much-needed beds and infrastructure on the same piece of campus real estate.

exchange residence ground level — European inspiration The street wall facades of Exchange Residence were inspired by European cities. It creates a striking visage for the building, making it appear more residential than institutional.

exchange residence dusk — Three massive buildings The three buildings that make up the north-south leg of Exchange Residence, along with the grand staircase, illustrate the stepped concept the design team sought to achieve.

exchange residence bus loop 2 — A single crosswalk There is only one pedestrian crosswalk in the new UBC Bus Exchange. This increases pedestrian safety and helps improve the flow of bus traffic through the site.

exchange bus loop drivers facility 2 — A new drivers’ facility The new bus exchange features an all-new drivers’ facility that is similar in design to the Exchange Residence building it sits beside. Wood plays a prominent role in the design.

exchange bus platform — Large, open-air platforms The bus exchange features covered platforms that are more like subway stations than traditional bus stops. Catenary lighting illuminates the exchange, rather than lampposts.

Meet The Team

Pauline Thimm

Associate, Architect

See more team members

This is a stunning facility, and an architectural and engineering marvel… It is a true home for our beloved students.

Santa Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia

The design story 01

The street wall concept, expressed

Street walls are something of a novelty in North America – and even more so on the UBC Campus.

The design story 02

An active and engaging streetscape

Exchange Residence’s location, along with the street-level collegia, means it will be a busy place.

The design story 03

Incorporating an all-new bus loop

DIALOG worked with TransLink and UBC to create a facility in a tight space that met everyone’s needs

The design story 04

Mocking up the nano suite on campus

The design team mocked-up the nano in the student union building, so people could check it out.

The design story 05

A small space, a simple floor plan

The nano suite floor plan gives students all they need, and nothing they don’t – in 144 sq ft.

The design story 06

A real-world mock-up for students

Students were able to explore and comment on the nano concept before Exchange Residence was built.

The design story 07

Bathroom space in the nano suite

The mock-up bathrooms are virtually identical to the finished product – with a translucent wall.

The design story 08

This plan shows the ease of indoor / outdoor flow, and how there are additional social space opportunities on the podium, including space for picnics, studying, bocce, etc.