DA Architects Receives Award for the Vancouver Convention Centre West
Vancouver Convention Centre West
November, 2009 - DA Architects + Planners are very pleased to be one of several recipents of the 2009 BC Steel Design Award - Krentz Awaqrd - from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. This award was for ‘Outstanding Steel Structure’ and was bestowed as a special recognition of an extraordinary design solution in the field of steel construction that demonstrates unique application, successful collaboration and sustainable principles for the benefit of society, the industry and associated professions.
Some building facts:
223,000 square feet of exhibition hall (or 5 football fields)
60,000 square feet of meeting rooms
55,000 square feet of ballroom (larger than one football field)
90,000 square feet of retail space
400,000 square feet of walkways, bikewayks, public open space and plazas
6 acres of living roof
for more information please see http://www.da-architects.ca/projects/vancouver-convention-centre/
River Rock Resort and Casino’s $30 Million Renovation Opens
On November 19th, River Rock Resort and Casino celebrated the unveiling of their $30 million renovation. Randy Knill, Partner, DA Architects + Planners was the architect responsible for the design and he was on hand to enjoy the evening.
After 18 months of renovation, the spectacular new Grand Lobby welcomes guests to the casino. This newly renovated space also supports two impressive spiral escalators which cascade down from the hotel check in to the casino floor. These escalators are only the fifth to be installed in North America and were supplied by Mitsubishi. As well, there is an elevated walkway which links directly to the Canada Line’s platform.
The River Rock Show Theatre now has specialized private suites offering unobstructed views to watch a performance. Time to go see Bill Cosby, Craig Ferguson and more …
Campbell River’s Spirit Square Welcomes the Olympic Torch
Campbell River Spirit Square
The Campbell River Spirit Square opened November 2nd, 2009, in time for the Olympic Torch to arrive in the afternoon. The square was opened with dedication and blessing ceremonies by We Wai Kum First Nations singers and dancers, as well as by visiting Tibetan monks. It was an amazing turnout by the local community with almost 3,000 residents celebrating the arrival of the Olympic Torch. The square is in the heart of the city’s downtown.
This plaza was a recommendation of a planning study for the downtown by DA Architects + Planners in 2006. The intent of the plaza is to define and strengthen the existing cultural precinct with opportunities for festivals, public performances and to showcase spectacular events such as the arrival of the Olympic Torch to downtown Campbell River, BC.
This project came in under budget, on time and cost roughly $1.7 million to construct.
Ridgeway Elementary School
Completion Date: Current
Budget: $16 Million
Overview
The Ridgeway School will accommodate 350 elementary and 120 kindergarten students. The original 1911 building and the two 1926 wings are considered the most significant heritage building on the north shore. However the current condition of the building requires replacement or major upgrades to most of the buildings components.
The DA Difference
The proposed design achieves the challenge of creating a rich contemporary learning environment and maintaining the character-defining heritage elements of the building, while minimizing the construction cost premium of renovating an existing heritage building. The new school aims to achieve LEED gold certification.
Vancouver Convention Centre West
Completion Date: April 2009
Budget: $535 Million
Overview
After 8 years of design work, this spectacular waterfront venue opened in April 2009.
Offering breathtaking views of the North Shore Mountains, Stanley Park and over the Burrard Inlet, the Vancouver Convention Centre has over 400,000 square feet of space.
DA Difference
The roofline features a six-acre Living Roof. This features west coast plant life, bee hives for pollination and will attract birds and butterflies. Another interesting feature is the circulation and energy efficient use of seawater for the heating and cooling system.
With 40% of the building suspended over seawater, the foundation is specifically designed to recreate a natural shoreline for marine life. It offers a ‘shelving’ tiered effect to offer sea life living space and the natural growth area needed for sea kelp etc.
DA Architects + Planners proudly collaborated with MCM Partnership and the Seattle based LMN Architects. Construction Management was with PCL Constructors and Unitech Construction Management.
DA Celebrates 40 Years In Architecture
In October, 2009 Partners Ron Beaton, Mark Ehman and Randy Knill celebrated with their team, colleagues, and friends 40 years of architecture. A memorable evening was brought together at the Vancouver Convention Centre West with over 140 attendees. The event celebrated world architecture and featured world music with DJ Mark Fournier, incredible local and oceanwise food prepared by the outstanding VCCW Chef and showcased a 40 foot banner spanning the decades of thoughtful architecture. Founded in 1969 in Vancouver, BC, DA Architects + Planners specialize in private and public sector work, including hospitality, educational, industrial, and commercial building types.
Contributing to Vancouver’s vibrant cityscape, DA Architects have been involved in major projects like the new Vancouver Convention Centre West, River Rock Casino Resort, and the Vancouver Public Library. The firm has also been active in the residential sector, producing three residential towers at Bayshore Gardens Development, the Cielo, and several of the iconic towers in the post expo Yaletown redevelopment, all major Vancouver projects.
Current work includes the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver, Delta Hospice and several large mixed use projects that combine residential uses with office and retail.
With an enthusiastic team of 25+ professionals and newly renovated office space occupying a full loft floor in Yaletown, DA Architects + Planners are poised for the next 40 years !
Randy Knill, Partner Earns LEED accreditation
April, 2009. Congratulations to Randy Knill, Partner, B. Arch, C.P., MAIBC, LEED© AP for successfully achieving his LEED accreditation.
Randy has earned the designation as a LEED Accredited Professional by demonstrating a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources and processes.
DA Architects + Planners extend congratulations to Randy.
With the global awareness of sustainability issues on all levels, DA Architects are very pleased to have nine Staff that have demonstrated their thorough knowledge of green building practices.
Opening Ceremony - Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project
The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project is nearing completion after 8 years of design work including our VCCEP architect team relocating to a project office in close proximity .
A spectacular waterfront venue utilizing all modern technology including a ‘Living’ roof which compliments and enhances the waterfront scene.
The Opening Ceremony will be on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at 1pm for the ribbon cutting event.
Chateau Blanc Hotel, Big White Ski Resort
Completion date: 2012
Budget: $200M
Overview
This luxury resort on Big White Resort near Kelowna will offer something for everyone. In addition to a 600-room hotel, dining establishments, and a conference facility, visitors will enjoy retail shopping, a world-class spa, and a swimming pool. Aprés-skiers will relax in a new day lodge, which will replace the existing one.
The DA Difference
The DA plan grew out of a community consultation, resulting in a design that addresses the mountain as a whole and creates a resort that ensures a smooth and effective flow of operations. The hotel will serve as a village centre, with its retail services and restaurants, and its access to the mountain’s three ski lifts. The buildings will utilize local materials such as stone and heavy timber, and be situated to incorporate the existing landscaping and scenery to optimum effect.
Cielo
Completion date: 2007
Budget: not available
Overview
This 30-storey residential development in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour area is situated between the waterfront and the Central Business District. The tower’s form uniquely exploits the waterfront amenities and the views, while creating a minimal impact on its surroundings. The design emphasizes the communal aspects of the project, with the elevator lobbies daylighting towards the south, and the residential common space occupying the entire penthouse level of the tower. A grocery store at the base provides a much-needed asset to this emerging neighbourhood.
The DA Difference
Our architects and planners worked with area residents to develop design features that satisfied them. These included extensive landscaping and use of an upgrade finish adjacent to the neighbouring townhouses; latticework above the north-facing grocery store windows to minimize the glare of reflected light for the tower residents to the north; and grocery freight access that allows one-way movement only, to minimize truck noise and traffic.
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