A new student housing complex is open at the University of Victoria (UVic), the university’s largest capital infrastructure project to date. Completed a year ahead of schedule, the Sngequ House features 385 single-room dormitory-style beds, primarily for first-year students, and an Indigenous student lounge.
“When young people move away from home for school, they need to be able to find safe, secure and affordable housing,” said Premier David Eby. “These new homes are helping students enjoy campus life, easily access student services and focus on their studies, while also easing demand on Victoria’s rental market.”
The new 11-storey residence is part of a larger student housing project that was built in two phases. The first building, which opened in September 2022, includes 398 single-room dormitory-style student beds and a 600-seat dining hall. As part of the project, two old buildings are being torn down. In total, the project adds 621 new beds and 162 replacement beds, increasing affordable on-campus housing by 25 per cent.
Both student housing residences were constructed using natural products such as stone and wood, consistent with the province’s CleanBC plan. Wood is incorporated into the building designs through mass timber structural elements in the first building and wood finishes in the second building.
Designed by Perkins+Will, both buildings are seeking Passive House and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) V4 Gold certifications, two of the most rigorous global building standards for sustainability and energy efficiency. This means reduced energy, operating and maintenance costs, and lower carbon emissions, which are critical for a clean future.
“The opening of Sngequ House in the fall completed the UVic’s Student Housing and Dining project, our biggest capital project to date. We know how challenging it is to find appropriate accommodations in our community and this project is helping to alleviate some of those pressures. We continue to look at ways to make higher education accessible for more students at UVic,” said Kevin Hall, president and vice-chancellor, University of Victoria.
