Blusson Spinal Cord Centre – Vancouver

“I particularly remember visiting the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in Vancouver when it first opened in 2008. It was built to be accessible and inclusive for everyone working in and visiting the Centre. It is light and bright.  It incorporates multi-purpose spaces (offices, medical clinic, labs, fitness centre, lecture halls, atrium, ramps) all of which are fully accessible incorporating elements of universal barrier free design. These accessibility features have been incorporated through innovative and elegant design. When the building was in the design phase there was a lot of consultation with persons with Spinal Cord Injury to understand how their needs could be addressed through the design of the various spaces. This included persons (physicians, researchers, lab technicians, allied health care professionals, administrators) who were working in the building who had lived experience as well as those who would come in to receive services or participate in programs. Innovation was a critical component and research was done looking globally at how similar spaces had been designed to allow people with SCI to work, teach/study, participate in research, seek medical advice, do rehab and exercise, fully participate in meetings and events, etc. I have attended meetings, conferences, musical events, galas in this building and I always hear people commenting on the innovative accessibility features that in fact benefit everyone accessing this space. There is a sense of hope and that anything is possible as a result of the work that goes in in the building. Guests from around the world have admired how the building design supports collaboration and knowledge translation. It has been a bit of a living lab for others wanting to explore accessible design for similar spaces.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.119).

Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Blusson+Spinal+Cord+Centre/@49.2621128,-123.1245401,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x548673c2e547db53:0xc371e4b07a951948!8m2!3d49.2621093!4d-123.1223514!16s%2Fg%2F11c3k31crf