The Faculty of Land and Food Systems (formerly the Faculty of Agriculture) is one of the three founding faculties at the University of British Columbia. studioHuB architects ltd. was engaged by UBC to renovate the faculty’s largest lecture theatre.

Taking cues from the natural environment and the faculty’s colours, the design revitalizes the space both functionally and visually, transforming a traditional lecture theatre into a dynamic learning environment with three tiers and flexible furniture. The new layout supports both conventional classroom instruction and collaborative learning, with configurations for group work at tables accommodating four to six students.

Vertical half-round wood battens and a new ceiling plane create a greater sense of height, while durable painted MDF wall panels and writable back-painted glass surfaces support teaching and collaboration throughout the space.

The project included extensive building envelope remediation to address water infiltration issues within the existing structure. Following completion of the envelope upgrades, the interior renovation was completed and the renewed lecture theatre opened to students in 2022.