Forest Sciences Centre

Forestry “Treehouse” and Student Lounge

The Forest Sciences Centre was completed in 1998 and was designed to showcase construction using Canadian forest products. The 17,505-square-metre Forest Sciences complex has 11 classrooms, 2 lecture theatres, teaching laboratories, office space, computer labs, study areas, and a cafeteria and houses the Faculty’s three departments.

Built alongside the Forest Sciences Centre is the 3,730-square-metre Centre for Advanced Wood Processing. This building includes two 25-seat classrooms, a machine lab, a simulator lab, and a computer lab. A fundraising campaign provided the opportunity to name rooms in the Forest Science Centre. The campaign was led by David McInnes, Chairman, Weyerhauser Canada Ltd, and George Richards of Weldwood Canada Ltd.
UBC committed $2.25 million to match funds to designated rooms. The contributors included:

  • Fletcher Challenge Canada Ltd.
  • Weldwood of Canada, Ltd.
  • The Noranda Foundation and Noranda Forest Inc.
  • Canadian Pacific Charitable Foundation
  • West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. and Janet Ketcham
  • Lignum Ltd.
  • an anonymous donor

Official UBC Designated Public Study Space

The Forest Sciences Centre (FSC) is one of the Designated Learning Spaces on campus at UBC. The FSC study space consists of an open atrium of group tables and couches surrounded by greenery in the heart of the Forestry building. This spot is a vibrant place for individual or group study. Inside the MacMillan Bloedel Atrium are group tables and couches with space for up to 60 people. Natural light comes in through the ceiling skylight and the atrium is surrounded by greenery with woodwork adorning the walls and ceiling.

The studying space is open to all UBC students, however, priority will be given to Forestry students as space can be limited during peak study seasons.

Interested in studying here?
With the open-concept atrium and others studying around you, we recommend you bring headphones or earplugs to ensure your studies are uninterrupted. The FSC building remains open until 8pm, however, you may need to use your UBCCard in order to access the building off-hours (normally after 6pm).

Uses of Wood in the Forest Science Centre

The Forest Sciences Centre was designed as three distinct blocks to meet the BC Building Code regulations at the time of construction. These consist of a four-storey laboratory block, a four-storey office block, and a two-storey wood processing centre, all of which surround a large central sky-lit atrium. Each of the three blocks are separated by seismic joints and fire barriers, and have a distinct structure and design that was driven by their specific functional needs.

Facilities, Safety, and Emergency Information

View our Health and Safety page.