UBC Asian Center Substation Enclosure

Location
University of British Columbia, Asian Centre Garden

Client
University of British Columbia
Karen Koyama, Project Manager

Design Team
Art Cader Architect Inc., Prime Consultant
Jim Mandelli Engineering, Structural Consultant

Builder
UBC Plant Operations

Completed in March of 2016, the electrical substation enclosure was designed to bridge the functional requirements of a UBC campus electrical infrastructure installation with the sensitive aesthetic context of the Asian Centre garden landscape. The design solution involved choosing cedar-tree bark imagery translated into custom perforated oxidized Corten steel panels. The custom panels were assembled onto a steel angle frame structure enclosing the electrical equipment, screening the equipment from public view while still allowing service access. The rusted appearance was seen as an ideal compliment to the tree bark concept.