“It started as the New Applied Sciences Building” I began my tour. “Can you believe that?”
The Leonard S. Klinck Building stands before you. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. This unassuming structure holds a rich history. It opened in 1948. Originally it was the New Applied Sciences Building. It wasn’t always known by its current name.
Sharp & Thompson Berwick Pratt designed this impressive building. Construction cost a hefty $468,000 in 1947-48. An additional $460,000 was spent finishing the third and fourth floors between 1949 and 1950. The British Columbia government funded its creation.
The Leonard S. Klinck Building is a four-story structure. It has a basement. Reinforced concrete forms its frame. Hollow tile partitions separate its many rooms. The exterior is architectural concrete. It’s treated in a vertical motif. The exposed columns are a striking feature.
Over the years its name changed. It became the Engineering Building in 1951. Later it housed Civil Engineering. In the 1960s it transitioned to become the Computer Science Building. Finally in 2000 it received its current name. This honored Leonard S Klinck. He was UBC’s second president. A significant figure in the university’s history. He also served as the first Dean of Agriculture.
Today the Leonard S. Klinck Building houses various departments. These include the W Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics. The Institute of Applied Mathematics also resides within its walls. The Integrated Sciences Program makes use of its facilities. Mathematics occupies space here too. UBC Information Technology and UBC Studios Print Shop are also located within the Leonard S. Klinck Building. Finally the Vice President Human Resources offices are situated here.
So as you stand here contemplate the building’s story. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of both its namesake and the University of British Columbia itself. This building has evolved. Yet it continues to serve the academic community. It’s a crucial part of UBC’s campus. It’s a reminder of the university’s growth and its ongoing contributions.