At this year’s AFBC Architectural Awards, eight wining projects representing outstanding and exceptional work from the architectural community in British Columbia were presented in four categories.
Projects hailed from across the province and around the world – from an art gallery in North Vancouver, to an opera house in Hong Kong, and a place of contemplation in Kootenay Bay.
Debuting this year, the Architecture Foundation of B.C. (AFBC) hosted the awards program, with interim assistance from the Architectural Institute of B.C. (AIBC) who previously ran the program.
“Raising awareness of architecture and design is one of the Foundation’s goals, so taking on the Architectural Awards Program was a perfect fit,” said Veronica Gillies, Architecture Foundation of B.C. chair. “The recipients awarded at this year’s ceremony certainly speak to excellence in the built environment across the province, as well as abroad.”
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture recognize excellence in completed architectural projects led or designed by AIBC members. Two projects received the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award in Architecture – Medal:
Xiqu Centre
Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.) and Ronald Lu & Partners Ltd. in Association.
Xiqu Centre is the new home for traditional Chinese opera and marks the gateway to Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. Floating the 1100-seat main theatre created a stunning atrium space below with an interior plaza for the public to enjoy. The venue features a facade of woven metal panels which gently pull back, like curtains, revealing the vibrant energy of the plaza within. Read our review of the project here.
Polygon Gallery
Patkau Architects Inc.
Polygon Gallery stands at the front of urban waterfront renewal, in a previously industrial area, which is now a central cultural hub. Its simple yet bold form is demonstrated through layers of stainless steel that capture light and atmosphere. Within, the gallery space is conceived as a ready instrument, free of obstacles, and able to accommodate any form of art and media.
Three projects received the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture – Merit:
Edgemont Residence
BattersbyHowat Architects Inc.
This 4200 square foot residence is located in North Vancouver, B.C. With close proximity to neighbours and limited views, the focus of the home is primarily oriented west, towards a forested ravine. The design of the home showcases a dynamic facade and spatial complexity – small shifts in geometry from the orthogonal respond to site conditions, views, and ease of water flow from roof forms.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis & Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong
Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.)
The University of Chicago’s new satellite campus in Asia is a hub for global education, celebrating the university’s international and local presence. Inspired by the site’s natural surroundings, steep topography and scattered remnants of military heritage, the building’s form weaves academic program around the challenging terrain, uniting old and new, natural and man-made.
Howard Residence
ABC Architecture Building Culture Inc.
Located in West Vancouver, this 5000 square foot triangular courtyard house is situated at the foot of a granite cliff below a railway line in a densely forested area. The angular nature of the site and long street frontage allowed for the house to spread wide and low. The charcoal coloured shingle siding and darker exterior elements help blend the home seamlessly into the cedar and fir tree backdrop.
The AFBC Innovation Award recognizes achievements that are not strictly ‘architectural,’ but that have a direct bearing on the future of architecture in areas such as design, building technology, use of materials and sustainability.
The Temple of Light project by Patkau Architects Inc., received this award for advancing construction of complex innovative forms through economical means.
The AFBC Special Jury Award is given for exceptional achievement, selected from all awards submissions and determined by the jury. Two projects received the AFBC Special Jury Award:
College of New Caledonia Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility
The Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers Inc. (for elevating the design of an industrial academic facility)
The Duke
Acton Ostry Architects Inc. (for incorporating community connection into architectural design). Read our review of the project here.
