SFU Shrum Science Complex Renewal

Burnaby B.C. ● Academic

The Shrum Science Centre at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby houses the departments of chemistry, biological sciences, physics, earth sciences, kinesiology, mathematics and statistics, and actuarial science.

Work to restore and renew the aging chemistry labs in the 102,000 square foot Shrum Science Centre started in June 2009, providing new state-of-the-art facilities for students and extending the life of the building. 60,000 square feet of space was selected for renovation. The $50 million project involved refurbishment of the exterior envelope, adding seismic bracing, removal of waste materials, upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems, and new heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. Seismic upgrading elements included cast-in-place concrete, new shear walls and shotcrete applied over existing concrete.

Previously, the building was a series of small research and teaching labs with concrete blocks between each; as a result of the rebuild, the university’s five main chemistry research streams (synthetic, organic, inorganic, analytical and physical) now each share one large lab per research stream, facilitating future flexibility without removing or building any walls. Ninety percent of the original materials that were removed from the existing structure have been recycled and the project was designed to LEED Gold certification.

Images: © Derek Lepper Photography