April 23, 2012 - 3:10am
Vancouver Island University’s new Cowichan Campus received an Excellence Award in the education category at the 5th Annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards.
The distinctive facility which opened in September 2011 on University Way in Duncan has also earned a citation from the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
The Roy Willwerth Precast Concrete Architectural Recognition Award will be presented to Garyali Architect Inc., of Victoria for design of the 3,500 square metre campus.
“A lot of coordination and design refinement of the concrete structure went into this project,” said architect Shiv Garyali. “It was our intention to make this project a demonstration of the most sustainable and durable building materials, especially wood and concrete.”
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Industry in; architectural design, sustainability, innovation and change; for positive leadership and industry-altering development and expansion.
Cowichan Campus features state-of-the-art health and science labs, computer labs and several multipurpose classrooms, a 110-seat lecture theatre, cafeteria and kitchen, library commons and many areas for students to gather and study.
It has been designed to meet the gold standard for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design).
“We’re proud of the recognition that Cowichan Campus has earned,” says Ric Kelm, Executive Director, Infrastructure and Ancillary Services at VIU. “With features such as rooftop gardens, geo-exchange heating and cooling and rainwater collection, it is one of the most sustainable facilities on Vancouver Island both from a design, construction and operational perspective.”
The new campus serves students enrolled in university degree, business, health and human services, trade and applied technology, career and academic preparation and employability skills programs.
The campus is located in the Cowichan Place development which also includes facilities operated by the City of Duncan, the District of North Cowichan, and the Cowichan Valley School District. The site is a focal point for education, recreation and culture in the Cowichan Valley.
For information on programs offered at VIU’s Cowichan Campus, visit:
For information on Garyali Achitect Inc., visit:
Tags: In the Community
