In the last posting the front of the university building was featured. It faces south. This post checks out the rest of the building starting with the west side,
and straight around the corner to the back of the building.
In this age of extreme anti smoking legislation ( never mind choking on wood smoke, gasoline fumes, and other forms of pollution) it is refreshing to see a small smoking area, for those who enjoy that sort of thing, set up right outside this back door. It is too small to photograph and nasty in winter to be sure, but right now sitting there with a martini and smoke could be cool.
the concrete, cladding and wood details look good together. I have a problem with concrete showing. On too many public buildings I have seen it discolor horribly ugly within a year, and the buildings so affected right away look slum related. Keep an eye on this.
On to the east side to come full circle.
With all the glass, reflection shows everywhere.
For now it is time to leave.
Walk away and around the corner till the campus sign is left behind.
The foregoing shows a little of the building. I like the design with its clean lines and lots of light. A small criticism has to do with the planer marks in the posts and beams. In projects like these they should be sanded out. Having said that, these type of blemishes are not overly noticeable except with certain light conditions. I also noticed a small bit of unfinished business related to the plug inside the posts in front of the cafeteria.
One of the interesting parts is the roof assembly with its rooftop garden known as a ‘green roof’, which includes walking paths, study areas and natural vegetation. There is also a ‘blue roof’ which refers to a rainwater collection system to irrigate the entire campus grounds, a geo-exchange heating and cooling system, solar hot water heating panels, and recycling and composting systems for students and staff. I like to look at these roofs asap, but may wait till the official opening. Here is the link to the installer. These roof gardens are the first thing to show up on the website and well worth looking at: http://paradisecityscapes.com/residential-projects
There is also a link showing more info about this project as it developed: http://www.viu.ca/facilities/Campus_Development/Cowichanplace.asp
And in conclusion for more VIU information go to: http://www.viu.ca/about/index.asp
