February 2010. DA Architects  + Planners are very pleased to have been presented with the recognition award for the use of wood on the Vancouver Convention Centre West. This recognition is from the Government of  British Columbia. It recognizes vision, leadership and innovation in  promoting wood as the preferred choice for building design, construction and daily living.

Overview

DA was initially asked to undertake a study to seismically upgrade this significant heritage school for 350 elementary and 120 kindergarten students in North Vancouver.

The DA Difference

After the Feasibility Study process, the Ministry of education agreed to fund the complete upgrade of the school to the value of a replacement school. This will allow the opportunity to expand the seismic structural upgrade to include the reorganization of the school plan with new partitions/finishes, a new gymnasium and new mechanical and electrical systems.  Construction is scheduled to start in 2011.

2010 Opening

February 2010. The Delta Hospice Society has opened the new Delta Hospice which has 10 suites in the Hospice Residence and an adjacent Outreach Support Centre for supportive care for members of the community including resources, counselling and consultation.  The Delta Hospice is in Delta, BC and is adjacent to the Delta Hospital. 

By surrounding the Delta Hospice with ‘garden pavillions’, both the buildings and the surrounding landscape provide a nuturing and warm atmosphere.

DA Architects + Planners feel privileged to have been able to work on this project for the Delta Hospice Society.

January 2010 - Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver BC is now OPEN !

DA are pleased to work with Okabe North America Inc and Coast Hotels and Resorts on their new flag-ship hotel.  This beautiful hotel achieves a high level of sophistication and warmth  in a downtown urban setting. “We designed a port-cochere that accommodates car and bus which is contemporary and inviting.  The 6 meter high space has a glass ceiling of green, blue and yellow coloured backlit glazing that extends down the two storey wall between the two lobby entrances offers a wonderful welcome to the arrival experience.”, Mark Ehman, Partner Architect.

Budget: $7 Million

Overview

The project comprises a 10 bed Hospice Residence, an adjacent outreach Support Centre and shared gardens and walkways. The buildings occupy a 1.33 acre site adjacent to the Delta Hospital and serve North and South Delta with extending their support beyond families to friends, caregivers and community.

The DA Difference

The architectural concept for the buildings may be described as ‘garden pavillions’, which is a response to buildings’ purpose and relationship with the landscape. The building design has home-like characteristics, but also has a solidity and permanence appropriate to its role in the community. The central garden space and the surrounding landscape provide significant support and amenity to the occupants of both buildings.

Budget: $60 Million

Overview

This full service, $60 Million, 20-storey, 220 room hotel is Coast Hotels & Resorts’ newest  flagship property in its chain of hotels. Located in the downtown business district, the building offers full conference and ballroom facilities, a restaurant and recreation amenities. The site offers spectacular views of the North Shore mountains.

DA Difference

The metal and glass clad building design relates to the hotel program, the urban context and important views of the harbour and the city. The pedestrian and vehicular arrival has been carefully articulated to convey a contemporary yet warm and welcoming experience. The design also allows for natural light to stream through the multi-storey windows creating a bright, airy environment during the day. One other feature will be a landscaped podium roof deck with an outdoor lap pool.

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/

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 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.

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.