The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) has kicked started their Architectural Walking Tours in Vancouver. This year, participants have the opportunity to experience the tours “After Hours”, which will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every second Thursday.
Architectural Walking Tour | Gastown, Dominion and Woodwards Buildings | Photo Courtesy of AIBC
Members will have the chance to explore six neighbourhoods with experienced AIBC guides from Thursday to Monday. Walking Tours are $10 per person and run throughout July and August at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“With the addition of the evening walking tours, we hope people will experience the built environment in a way they never have before,” said Mark Vernon, CEO, Architectural Institute of British Columbia.
Vancouver tours include:
- Gastown: Explore how building scale and street layout offer clues to the expansion and relocation of the downtown centre from Gastown to its current location. See how heritage restoration and preservation guidelines and initiatives set up in the 1970s have transformed and renewed this historical part of Vancouver.
- Chinatown: Stroll market streets, taking in retail, commercial and residential structures built by some of the founding merchants of this historic district.
- Downtown: Discover modern and contemporary architecture while travelling through Vancouver’s business district, home to British Columbia’s tallest buildings.
- Yaletown: Learn about how the City of Vancouver transformed this industrial area into one of the trendiest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in Canada.
- The West End: Walk through a mix of historic buildings and explore architectural influences that have shaped this area over the decades. From Queen Anne style homes to 70s style postmodern residential high rises, this tour has it all.
- Strathcona: Experience Vancouver’s oldest and most diverse residential area. Strathcona has remained the city’s “hidden gem” for years. Learn how this community has survived and flourished over the years.
“The tours are an engaging and social way for the public to learn about the architectural history of Vancouver and Victoria. As the provincial regulator of the profession, this is an excellent opportunity to share the role regulated architects play in influencing the cities where we work, play, live, or visit,” said Vernon.
Neighbourhood descriptions courtesy of AIBC.