As one of its founding faculties, Engineering at UBC has been around as long as the university itself. In that time, the department has made a name for itself internationally by producing some of the finest engineers in the world. Engineering students at UBC are fortunate to enjoy world-class instructors and teaching facilities, which allow them to maintain this prestige.

Over the years however, the department has expanded so much that the facilities needed to support this level of success have been outgrown. In the past 10 years, the number of undergraduate engineering students at UBC has nearly doubled, while the amount of student space for study, group work and social activities has remained the same, or declined.

Noticing that their needs were not being met, engineering students did what they do best: they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Beginning in 2007, a group of concerned students began the call for a new Engineering Student Centre. After a few short years, a student referendum, and a great deal of consultation, the students of UBC Engineering are taking the final few steps towards the construction of a building which is wholly their own.