Health and Innovation Center at University of New Brunswick

The new Health and Social Innovation Centre at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John is a facility supported by landscape programs and spaces that expand its mission to support health research, science, and healing. This project is an acknowledgement of the campus’s evolving relationship to local first nations tribes.

The Centre defines the west end of the campus’ historic academic core. A plinth spans the length of the façade and identifies the primary entry to the building while providing a prospect of the quad. The building steps down a level and connects to an existing pedestrian tunnel system that links nearby structures.

From the south side of the lower level extends a shaded plaza. The plaza is adjacent to the building’s food services and provides several types of seating including a feasting table for communal dining and sharing. A path winds from the plaza to a circular gathering space enclosed by mounded landforms. The gathering space activity ranges from a contemplative experience to ceremonial events held by student-led first nations groups. Double curve motifs and symbolic designs will be integrated into the gathering space elements.

On the north side of the building, an existing parking lot will be replaced with a multi-purpose field that can transformed into an ice rink during the winter months that comprise much of the academic year. The project is targeting LEED Gold.