Green health sciences building opens

Burnaby, BC – Simon Fraser University’s new $56.9-million health sciences building, Blusson Hall, has opened and is being applauded as a green facility.

“Blusson Hall is a great example of government, academia and private sponsors working together to help create an amazing state-of-the-art green building,” said Murray Coell, the province’s minister of advanced education and labour market development. “It’s an important investment in the future for health education in British Columbia.”

The facility exceeds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver standards with numerous environmentally friendly features, such as a green (planted) roof, sustainable harvested wood products, limited use of off-gassing construction materials, storm-water collection for irrigation, radiant-floor heating and abundant natural light.

The 12,000-sq-m building is a U-shaped facility built around a courtyard. It contains classrooms, teaching and research labs, seminar rooms, and a lecture theatre.

“This new building continues SFU’s long tradition of combining architectural innovation with bold initiatives in higher education,” said Michael Stevenson, SFU president. “Blusson Hall will be the physical magnet for the best research and training in public and population health, linking BC’s strategic interests to the global health agenda.”