Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia
Completion Date: April 2008
River Rock Hotel & Parkade
Completion date: Parkade – August 2009, Hotel – December, 2011
Budget: $100 Million
Overview
The 5 storey, 192 room River Rock Hotel will be perched on top of a 700 ft. long, 7 storey, 1520 car parkade with offices and retail. It will be connected to the River Rock Casino resort to the north with a bridge across River Road. To the south there is another bridge connected to the new Canada Line skytrain station and bus loop.
The parkade opened in August 2009 coinciding with the completion of the Canada Line, and serves the park and ride patrons during the day and the casino patrons on evenings and weekends.
The DA Difference
The architectural design recognizes the emergence of a new entertainment precinct. The massing of the parkade is broken up by graphic screens, glazed stairs, trellises and canopies. The design intention of the hotel is to defer to the original Casino Resort while providing a variation on the theme, in what will be perceived as a family of thematically related buildings.
Lift Bar and Grill
Completion date: 2004
Budget: Not Available
Overview
This restaurant is situated on a pier extending over the waters of Coal Harbour, and offers outstanding views of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains beyond. The building’s curved roof is derived from boat hulls and wave forms, and the cladding materials reference the neighbouring metal boat sheds. The interior space fully embraces the site and opens itself to the wonderful views, with features such as folding glass walls and a rooftop terrace. This project presented the opportunity to design a building that is very expressive, using a variety of high-quality materials and finishes. Distinctive features include metal shingles in the shape of fish scales, and teak and glass detailing.
The DA Difference
The Lift project faced some exceptional design constraints: a compact concrete pier for a construction site, and strict height limits and building setbacks. It also met with strong objections from neighbouring residents who were concerned that the building would obstruct their scenic views. DA developed a design that not only met the client’s programmatic requirements, but also convinced the neighbours that the building would be an asset to the community. Lift has established itself as a popular gathering place for area residents, as well as for tourists.
The Triangle
Completion Date: Current
Overview
The concept for this Port Coquitlam, BC development is to provide a retail destination (260,000 square feet) that includes a significant residential component (400 units). The retail portion comprises street oriented mid-size users (5,000 to 10,000 square feet) and a few larger users (food store, fashion anchor, drug store).
The DA Difference
This project is a regionally sensitive evolution of the Lifestyle Centre concept. The residential component consists of approximately 200 units located above the retail users along the street and approximately 200 units in 2 high rise towers oriented towards the project central public plaza. Continuous weather protection, a high level of pedestrian amenities, and the lively public plaza provide an interesting and animated pedestrian experience.
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
Completion date: April 2008
Budget: $79.7 Million
Overview
The creation of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia involved the renovation of the original 1925 Library (the Heritage Core), the demolition of all subsequent additions, and 200,000 square feet of new construction. The project was designed in association with Los Angeles architectural firm HHPA. The result is a 21st-century learning centre for the university and the wider provincial community. In addition to the traditional library collection, storage, and seating, the building includes a range of academic units, classrooms and lecture theatres, collaborative project rooms, learning and technology resources, and a community concourse. It also features an innovative automatic storage and retrieval system, with a capacity of 1.4 million volumes. There is a climate-controlled vault for rare books and archives, four reading rooms, gallery space and a flexible interior seating for over 1,500 study seats, classrooms, theatre and a Cafe. The building design captures light and offers a tranquil and relaxing space to study.
DA Difference
A number of energy-efficient technologies and materials were used in the construction of Phase I and II. These include solar-powered blinds, low-flush toilets, a radiant in-slab heating and cooling system, resilient flooring made from linseed oil and cork with a jute backing and recyclable carpet fibres.
The City Works Site
Completion Date: Current
Overview
This mixed-use development is being designed to a LEED Gold standard, to be located on the former City Works Yard site in Port Coquitlam.
Upon completion, this diverse, high density pedestrian-oriented community will include a mix of townhouses and tower residences, a grocery store and retail shops. A focal point for the project will be the proposed Public Square: an open space amenity to be enjoyed by the entire neighbourhood.
The DA Difference
The concept is to build a sustainable, pedestrian oriented, high quality mixed-use community, embodying the City of Port Coquitlam’s commitment to being a sustainable community. Not only will The City Works project meet LEED Gold standards, it will also create a strong foundation for sustainable development strategies within the project and the City of Port Coquitlam. We believe that The City Works Site will play a strong role in anchoring broader strategies to position the City of Port Coquitlam as a leading sustainable city.
Gateway Station Towers
Overview
This development is located in Surrey, BC and designated as mixed-use with office space, restaurants, retail, high-rise residential, underground parking, and significant public access open space.
The DA Difference
This project is designed to achieve LEED level of sustainable implementation, starting with offering recycling space on site. Some of the issues addressed in the design will be water efficiency and conservation through rainwater harvesting and re-use. A vital part of the storm water management initiative will be green roofs. This project is in collaberation with MCM Partnership.
River Rock Casino Resort
Completion date: 2005
Budget: $200 million
Overview
Perched on the banks of the Fraser River in Richmond, the River Rock is loosely themed on a Rocky Mountain lodge. It includes a 70,000-square-foot casino, a marina, five food and beverage operations, a swimming pool, fitness centre, day spa, theatre, hotel, and conference facilities. The theatre features adjustable seating formats that provide flexible configurations including a single-level floor, terraced dining, and stadium seating.
The DA Difference
The project evolved from the relatively modest expansion and renovation of an existing building, to the grand resort that was ultimately built. To meet the client’s continuously evolving vision, DA maintained close and constant communication with the client, design team, and builder. The result: interior and exterior spaces work to provide a variety of carefully planned experiences as pedestrians move through and around the spaces. The architectural features are supported by the thoughtful landscape elements and interior decor.
Vue
This mixed-use project in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant community includes four storeys of residential condominiums with downtown skyline views, ground-level commercial shops, planted roofs, and a landscaped public walkway that provides welcome greening in this pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood.
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