15 Places Architects Must visit in Vancouver

Vancouver, the coastal city is located in Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. It is also
named consistently among the top five livable cities in the world. The city is planned according
to its own theory called Vancouverism. The city was earlier known as “Gastown” which further
got renamed to Vancouver in 1886.

Here are 15 places every architect should visit when in Vancouver, Canada.

1. VANCOUVER ART GALLERY

Originally built as provincial courthouse in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery got its identity in
early 1980’s. It was first designed by Francis Rattenbury later the museum had undergone
various renovations with were further lead by Arthur Erickson.The building is a magnificent
example of art deco style in the region. Later, a new building design by the swiss firm Herzog
de Meuron's firm was proposed as an additional structure, which was later executed Perkins and
Will’s Vancouver branch.

2. HOTEL EUROPE
The six storey heritage building was built in 1909 by Parr and fee architects.Located on a
triangular plot, this building was the first reinforced concrete building in Canada and was built in
flatiron style.The building was redesigned by A. Ingre and Associates as an affordable housing
project in 1983.

3. EVERGREEN BUILDING
Evergreen building is considered to be a landmark project of architect Arthur Erickson. The
building is designed in complex trapezoidal site, respecting its context by its spatial
characteristics with zigzag pattern balconies. The building depicts the ideology of architect of
designing with nature fairly. The distinctive elements of the building like angled balconies,
overflowing landscape, continuity of materials makes it a remarkable building in its region.
4. WOODWARDS BUILDING
Built in 1903, Woodwards building has seen the rise and downfall of the woodward's department
store. Though the building was demolished in 2006 as part of the city's redevelopment process,
a part of it is still preserved and has mixed use including residential and non profit offices. “W”
sign on the top of the building was once referred to as a significant landmark in the city’s
skylines.

5. MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Like many other buildings of the city, this building was designed by Arthur Erickson. Inspired by
post and beam architecture or saying modern architecture the structure was significant in era
and was built in 1976. His principle would mainly consist of connection with outdoors which he
fulfilled by using 40ft large glass panel to connect with landscape around the building.

6. VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Designed by the legendary architect Moshe Safdie alongwith Richard Archambault and Barry
Downs, this structure was built in 1995.Orginally a rectangular form surrounded by elliptical
collonaded wall featuring reading and study areas filled with skylights. The green roof on the top
of the main structure is designed by architect Cornelia Oberlander. The roof was initially
designed for CO2 benefits which later served as a soothing green cover to the contextual
structures.

7. DOMINION BUILDING
Dominion building was the city's first steel framed high rise structure and was the second tallest
building during the British Empire in 1910. Designed by architect John .S. Helyer, this building
consists of 13 storeys and is 53m(175ft) high.With terracotta spandrels and corinthian columns,
arched windows at the entrance with a touch of Beaux-arts style, this building is surely a delight
to one’s eye.

8. SINCLAIR BUILDING
The Baroque style building comprises of four structures that were restored and connected by
Henriquez Partners Architects and Toby Russell Buckwell Architects in 1986. It combines an
influence of French and English and it also features an atrium clock of 12ft diameter.

9. MARINE BUILDING
The art deco architecture style building is one of the most exquisite examples of its style. The
building was designed by firm McCarter and Nairne in 1930. The brass doors consists of
intricately carved seaweeds, turtles crabs and seahorses, thus justifying its name.it is 321ft high
and was the tallest skyscraper in the city at the time of its opening.

10. VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE

A smart building with six acre of living roof which is the largest in canada, this convention centre
is one of the best convention centres in the world. It is built on the waterfront serving a great
view with mountains, ocean, parks was designed in manner to amalgamate the built space,
context and the natural environment of the site. It was designed by Seattle based LMN, in
collaboration with Vancouver-based Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership and DA Architects &
Planners in 2009.The project has received many awards for its sustainable design approach.

11. JAMESON HOUSE

This mixed used 35 storey tower is designed by Foster + Partners (Norman Foster) is located in
the heart of the city. The building also adjoins the two Beaux-Arts structures of its immediate
neighbourhood.With a fusion of two different styles of architecture, this building is an iconic and
flourishing landmark of the city

12. PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE BUILDING

Initialised from the concept of tree, the building looks like a pure play of cubes. The idea was to
create fun and livable space as research center for exchange of better ideas. Since architecture
has the power to affect the psychology of users, the designers intended it to be more than just a
research center. It is designed by HCMA architecture + design and Saucier + Perrotte
architectes.

13. VANCOUVER HOUSE

Designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, Vancouver house is one of the marvellous
examples of modern architecture in the city. It is designed in a triangle shaped plot which
increases in volume and turns into a rectangle shape. The east and west sides of the facade
has box shaped balconies.

14. BEATY BIODIVERSITY CENTER

This biodiversity center is a multifunctional programmed spaces which includes research
laboratories, offices, natural history collection and museum. The principal exhibition space
includes an enormous Blue whale skeleton. The natural history collection is located beneath the
central courtyard and is accessible from the main exhibition space. The building tries to create a
connection with the outdoors, thus giving a natural touch to the spaces. The building is also one
of LEED Gold certified structures in the city.

15. WATERFRONT STATION

Designed with red brick facade and row of Ionic order columns, the station is a good example
of neoclassical style of architecture. The main halls has two large clocks facing each other. The
Ionic order columns are repeated inside the main built space. The main station building is
designed by a firm Barott, Blackader and Webster.