Host Your Event at the Graduate Student Centre
Our Spaces
We have a range of flexible spaces that can be used for almost any event. Thea’s Lounge, Penthouse and GSS Loft are flexible spaces that can be set up for large events, meetings, and conferences, while Leon’s Lounge and Study Room are ideal for smaller gatherings.
The GSS Loft, located on the top floor of the 5-storey AMS Student Nest building, offers spectacular aerial views of the UBC campus. It is a space specifically for graduate students at UBC Vancouver.
Thea Koerner House is undergoing renovations for the new Graduate Life Centre and is unavailable for booking at this time.
Please note:
- The GSS Loft can only be booked by graduate students. Set-up is the responsibility of the client unless otherwise discussed with the booking staff.
- Capacity is 100% as listed per venue based on current Provincial Health Order guidelines.
Questions?
For general inquiries on venue rental, please email events@gss.ubc.ca.
Before booking an event please review our booking policies.
Located on the top floor of the 5-storey Nest building, GSS Loft offers a floor-to-ceiling window wall that leads to a full-sided balcony for spectacular aerial views of the Point Grey campus. With natural light permeating this expansive space, this versatile venue can be configured to meet the needs of any event. When not used for events the Loft is used as a social and study space that is accessible to graduate students via their student card.
Note: GSS Loft is reserved exclusively for events for graduate students.
Suitable for: group meetings, socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions.
Capacity: 75 (Social Lounge) + 40 (Conference Room) Theatre
Size: 1080 sq ft
Features: Sink, Audio-Visual
Address: Room 4202 – 6133 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1.
Note: Rental clients are responsible for the set-up and equipment needs of this space.
Background
Thea Koerner House (TKH) was donated to act as a ‘home away from
home’ for Graduate Students. TKH is currently in dire need of renovations
and some spaces are drastically underused. G+PS and UBC have
committed to work with the GSS to renovate TKH.
Objectives
- Revitalize TKH to serve the modern needs of the much more diverse
and larger UBC grad student community. - Conserve the heritage elements and incorporate sustainable practices.
Inspiration
- A place where I can sit comfortably to have a cup of coffee
- A feeling of safety and being welcome
- A place that I can access easily, and I can feel I belong to
- A place to promote a sense of community
- A place for friends, downtime, connections, community and comfort
Natural light permeates through the floor-to-ceiling window wall of this expansive space. With breathtaking views of the natural Georgia Strait (beautiful sunsets too!), Thea’s Lounge is a versatile venue that can be configured to the finest details to meet the needs of any events. Complete with a full-service bar, this space can go from a quiet and cozy sit-down dinner to a night out dance party.
Suitable for: workshops, networking events, parties, booth fairs, banquets, receptions
Capacity: 120
Size: 2,420 sq ft
Features: Bar Counter, furnishings, Audio-Visual, Music
An intimate spot for smaller gatherings, the Penthouse was home to the late Leon J. Koerner, the generous philanthropist behind the building of the Graduate Student Centre and the husband of Thea Koerner, after whom our building was named.
With its unique history preserved as much as possible, such as an oil painting of Thea Koerner, wall-upon- wall of books, and a marbled fireplace mantel, the Penthouse offers the perfect cozy setting for smaller events. The north- and south-facing, full-length balconies provide arguably the best aerial views on campus.
Suitable for: small group meetings, cocktail socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions
Capacity:
- 75 Theatre
- 64 Banquet
- 30-40 Classroom
Size: 1,470 sq ft
Features/Extras: Walk-around Patio with Views, BBQ, Audio-Visual, Music
Get up close to the solid cedar screen that lines the building exterior right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows with natural light passing through between the cedar columns. An ideal quiet venue for small meetings and gatherings, Leon’s Lounge can easily be used individually or combined with other spaces in the Graduate Student Centre for separate, smaller discussions.
Suitable for: small group discussions, workshops, corporate meetings
Capacity:
- 40 Theatre Style
- 32 Banquet Style
- 15-20 Classroom Style
Size: 520 sq ft
Features/Extras: Piano
With a direct view of +50-year-old pine trees from its floor-to-ceiling window wall that leads to the top-level balcony, the Study Room is a spacious quiet space for small group meetings. It can easily be used individually or combined with other rooms at the Graduate Student Centre for separate, smaller discussions.
Suitable for: small group meetings, cocktail socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions
Capacity:
- 15 Boardroom Style
Size: 300 sq ft
Features/Extras: Washroom
Event Services
Note: Equipment rentals do not apply to GSS Loft. Set-up and take-down are the client’s responsibility unless otherwise discussed with booking staff.
Our professional team can help with event planning and ensure everything runs smoothly, from the initial idea, room layout, and set-up to take-down, clean-up, etc. We also provide support and advice for decor, help you book catering, provide supervision during the event, and even help you organize music and alcohol licensing.
Equipment for Your Event
Whether you are looking for table linens or AV set up for your event, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of equipment available. If you need something specific, let us know, and we will try to source it.
Note: Equipment rentals do not apply to GSS Loft.
Seatings & Reception
- Table Number Stand
- Linen
- Table Skirting
- Cocktail Table
- Reception Table in Lobby
- Podium
Visual
- Screen
- LCD Projector
- Flip Chart (includes paper)
- White Board
- Easel
- HDMI adaptor cable
Audio
- Audio System (includes a microphone)
- Floor Speakers
- Speaker
- Extra Microphone
- Ear-Worn Wireless
- Mic Stand
Miscellaneous
- Mac/VGA Connector Cable
- Extension Cord
Get Inspiration
Here are some examples of how our guests have set up our spaces to give you an idea of what is possible. If you have a specific vision for what you’d like, please contact us and we will do our best to make it reality.
