The UBC School of Kinesiology is set to move into the newly constructed Gateway Building, an innovative and interdisciplinary space that will serve as a central hub for academic learning, research and community outreach on campus.
Situated at the west corner of University Boulevard and Wesbrook Mall, a principal entry point to campus, the Gateway Building will embody UBC’s vision for collaboration, sustainability, and reconciliation.
Musqueam Influence and Integration
The planning and design of the building were developed through meaningful consultation and dialogue with representatives of the Musqueam First Nation, on whose traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory the Gateway Building stands. This includes the integration of an expanded landscape around the building that invites the spirit of the Indigenous forest and inspires a feeling of well-being and belonging for all those who arrive on campus.
A Shared Home for Inter-faculty Collaboration
The Gateway Building will bring together multiple academic faculties and programs under a single roof, including the School of Kinesiology (Faculty of Education), the School of Nursing (Faculty of Applied Science), Integrated Student Health Services (Office of the Vice-President, Students), components of UBC Health, and the Language Sciences program (Faculty of Arts). This co-location effectively strengthens ties between departments and opens new opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching, research, and collaboration.
Commitment to Sustainability and Accessibility
The Gateway Building seeks to achieve a net-zero carbon certification, further emphasizing UBC’s commitment to climate responsibility. It has also received the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification and was recognized with the 2021 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence for its collaborative co-design process with Musqueam representatives alongside its comprehensive sustainability strategy.
New and Innovative Spaces
Within the building, spaces will include state of the art wet and dry laboratories, clinical facilities, lecture theatres, classrooms, fitness and gym facilities, as well as offices and administrative areas. Together, these spaces will foster a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and supports diverse modes of learning for students and staff alike.
This move marks a significant step for the School of Kinesiology and reinforces its commitment to expanding interdisciplinary learning, while also deepening engagement with the community through outreach initiatives. As the new year approaches, we can’t wait to finally move in and call the new Gateway Building our home.
Gateway Building progress photos-summer 2025.
For more information on the Gateway Building, please visit the following resources:
UBC Facilities-Gateway Building