Ramsay Worden Architects of Vancouver was given an Award of Excellence in Urban Development by the Urban Development Institute, Pacific Region, for the Chancellor House at the University of British Columbia, which won in the Best Low-Rise Development 2005 category.
Chancellor House is located in UBC’s Theological Neighbourhood. Ramsay Worden Architects has designed several other buildings in this new residential community called Chancellor Place, and all of these projects have been for Intracorp Developments. Private residential developments in academic settings are a new and increasingly popular pattern of development on campuses across North America.
Creating a new residential community in this setting required sensitive planning, engineering, design and construction. Chancellor House is s collection of terraced apartments and duplex townhomes in an eclectic West Coast Style that responds to the existing buildings, both heritage and modern. The design also respects the academic significance of the location, as well as the spectacular setting and views. Opportunities for community building include a pedestrian mews, important for entry and parking, but the design intent was much greater; the mews takes its cue from the concept of "woonerf," a Dutch word meaning "street for living," a common space shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and low-speed motor vehicles. Other characteristics of the project include terracing the building as a natural response to the terrain, extensive use of cut granite on the exterior to complement the historic Iona Building, a landscaped pond, and large outdoor spaces for every unit.
Environmental responsibility was fundamental to all decisions, and concepts for Chancellor House set the direction for all subsequent projects of Intracorp at this location.
For more information on Ramsay Worden Architects, please visit www.rwa.ca.