Brett Liljefors and Mike Taylor

It takes Brett Liljefors and Mike Taylor about 13 minutes to walk the kilometre between the MacMillan and Lasserre buildings on the UBC campus, depending on the weather and the intensity of their conversation. These Master of Architecture students see their peers in landscape architecture and environmental design infrequently because the programs are spread between the two buildings.

As co-Presidents of ARCHUS, SALA’s student society, Liljefors and Taylor believe strongly in unifying the three programs through the events including the annual SALA Gala, Corn Roast and Thesis Exhibitions.

“We do have a fair bit of fun, but we usually work so independently that there ends up being a fair bit of shop talk when all three programs get together,” said Liljefors.

After the dream of an integrated planning and design building becomes a reality, ARCHUS plans to continue promoting interdisciplinary exchange among SALA’s three programs and raising SALA’s profile at UBC and in the broader community.

With additional resources beyond student fees, ARCHUS would host student exhibits for the public in downtown galleries, and provide space and materials for design builds by students.

 “We want to make SALA better for the year after and the year after,” said Taylor. “Rather than just waiting for opportunities, we want to create them.”