Simon Fraser University's New Campus will secure Bing Thom's vision to give a "city centre to a place by very definition is 'centreless'."

March 11, 2004 - Vancouver, Canada: On March 5, The Ministry of Advanced Education announced that Simon Fraser University will open its third campus in Surrey, British Columbia in Bing Thom Architects' acclaimed Surrey Central City project to address the future of post-secondary education in the Fraser Valley.

Bing Thom had envisioned the creation of a new city centre for the City of Surrey with the 1.7 million sq. ft mixed-use development that would integrate an existing shopping mall with a new major university and office development. SFU's occupation of the building completes and secures Bing Thom's ambitious intentions for the project.

"With the addition of this superb new campus, SFU maintains its tradition of architectural excellence," said SFU President Michael Stevenson. The University's Burnaby campus was designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey, while SFU's downtown campus is celebrated for its heritage preservation and innovative architecture.

SFU plans to occupy 322,000 sq. ft of Surrey Central City.

Since 1980, Bing Thom Architects (BTA) has been collaborating with and advising cultural institutions, corporations, universities, governments, developers and communities around the world to help them successfully achieve their building aspirations.

These projects have garnered a prodigious number of important design awards. More significantly they have all enjoyed broad popular appeal, along with operational and financial success.

Bing Thom (CM, MArch, FRAIC, AIA) leads as Principal of the firm. His distinguished career has been recognized with Canada's highest honour, the Order of Canada, for his contribution to architecture. He has also been awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal for services to his country, and most recently, was privileged to be the recipient of an Honourary Degree of Laws bestowed by Simon Fraser University, for major commitment to architecture and community.

Bing Thom Architects undertakes selectively few projects at any given time to ensure Bing Thom and at least one Director are personally involved in all stages of every project. The core team of 45 experienced staff provide the foundation for larger teams that are assembled on a project-by-project basis. Our diversity is shaped by the wide-range of experience brought by professionals from 20 different countries, who collectively speak 18 distinct languages.

In addition, our staff is well trained in areas of expertise adjunct to architecture. This complementary versatility that the team brings to each project ensures our clients receive an interdisciplinary perspective and an international focus.