Smart Retrofit Solutions: Using BIM and AI for Smart Building Upgrades
A multidisciplinary student team connects BIM, artificial intelligence and building performance in a three-phase approach to building retrofits. Students in the Capstone Design Project course partnered with Dr. Qian Chen of UBC Okanagan’s Construction Integration and Digitalization (CID) Lab. Jaeda and Colby Yurkiw were already part of the CID Lab and approached Dr. Chen about developing […]
Camp OAC Rebuild
A student-led geotechnical engineering project examining debris flow and rockfall risk following the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire. Capstone Project Name: Camp OAC Rebuild Team Members: Amélie Argouin, Civil Engineering Joshua Carefoot, Civil Engineering Kaylynn Cook, Civil Engineering Colton Kather, Civil Engineering Josalynn Shields, Civil Engineering Sydney Strocen, Civil Engineering Students in the Capstone Design Project course partnered […]
Modular Housing for Rebuilding Ukraine
A student-designed permanent, accessible and adaptable modular housing concept for communities rebuilding in Ukraine. Capstone Project Name: Modular Housing for Rebuilding Ukraine Team Members: • Kyle Darroch, Civil Engineering • Kirit Dhot, Civil Engineering • Roopkanwar Gill, Civil Engineering • Maddie Hornibrook, Civil Engineering • Landon McGillis, Civil Engineering • Reed Stephanchew, Civil Engineering Students […]
Crossing continents to build a future in engineering
I’ve always been curious about how things around us work – from something as simple as taking an elevator to the complex systems behind it. That curiosity led to my interest in engineering. I find it fascinating that the calculations and concepts you learn in class can be applied to design prototypes and develop solutions […]
UBC innovation offers a creative solution to cleaning the air
The summer of 2026 brought another challenging wildfire season to the Okanagan, with smoke and poor air quality affecting communities across the region. Against that backdrop, a made-at-UBC innovation is offering a creative approach to cleaner indoor air. Developed at UBC Okanagan and brought to life through student ingenuity, three handcrafted air-filtering art installations have […]
Growing Through Resistance: FarmPod
A student-designed modular dome system exploring sustainable agriculture, agritourism and year-round growing in Northern BC Capstone Project Name: FarmPod: Micro-Farm Domes for Agri-Tech + Agritourism Team Members: Cassidy Legebokow, Mechanical Engineering Enrica Guidi, Civil Engineering Vivian Schmeeckle, Mechanical Engineering Jessalyn Svendsen, Mechanical Engineering Esteban Meiffredy, Mechanical Engineering Khiem Nguyen, Mechanical Engineering Students in the Capstone Design […]
Engineering healthier futures through wearable technology
For Brooke Franchuk, engineering is about creating technologies that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A 2018 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering program at UBC Okanagan School of Engineering, Franchuk now works at Garmin, where she helps develop wearable technologies designed to support health and well-being. Her journey highlights how engineering skills can […]
Designing for Winter Mobility: A Wheelchair-Accessible Snow Shovel
For wheelchair users, snow-covered paths can create significant barriers to independent mobility. Capstone Project Name: Wheelchair Accessible Snow Shovel Team Members: Axcan Alba Gonzalez – Mechanical Engineering Ian Schoeman – Mechanical Engineering Marcus Chan – Mechanical Engineering Aidan MacKenzie – Mechanical Engineering Lewis McCombie – Mechanical Engineering Michael Zidkovich – Mechanical Engineering Students in the Capstone […]
Building a solid foundation for sustainable communities: meet Quinn Soon
2026 UBC Okanagan engineering graduate Quinn Soon reflects on leadership, sustainability and creating impact through engineering Meet UBCO 2026 BASc Civil Engineering Graduate Quinn Soon Growing up in the Okanagan, Quinn Soon was drawn to engineering by a desire to help address some of society’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, housing affordability and community resilience. […]
UBC Okanagan engineering alumnus launches award to support future changemakers
Seabrook Impact in Engineering Award will empower grads to advance ideas with lasting impact One of UBC Okanagan’s earliest engineering graduates is helping power a brighter future for the next generation of innovators who will follow in his footsteps. James Seabrook, founder and CEO of Vitalis and a long-time supporter of UBC Okanagan’s School of […]