DA Receives Krentz 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 Award – from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. This award was for
River Rock Resort and Casino’s $30 Million Renovation Opens
On November 19th, River Rock Resort and Casino celebrated the unveiling oftheir $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 SquareThe 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: September 2011
Budget: $16 Million
Overview
The Ridgeway School will accommodate 350 elementary and 120 kindergarten students. The original 1911 building and 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: $853 Million
Overview
After 8 years of design work, this 1,100,000 sf waterfront venue opened in April 2009. Offering breathtaking views of the North Shore Mountains, Stanley Park and over the Burrard Inlet, the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre West represents one of the most unique and spectacular convention centre sites in the world.
The DA Difference
This project is also the first convention centre in the world to have earned LEED Platinum certification. Sustainable design elements include a six-acre living roof which features west coast plant life and bee hives for pollination, recovering rainwater while attracting birds and butterflies. Another interesting feature is the 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: tiered platforms to offer the natural growth area needed for sea kelp, fish habitats and other sea life.
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 40 years of architecture with their team, colleagues, and friends.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, incrediblelocal and oceanwise food prepared by theoutstanding VCCW Chef andshowcased 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 !
Opening Ceremony
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.
Chateau Blanc Hotel at Big White Ski Resort
Budget: $200M
Overview
This luxury resort on Big WhiteMountain 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.
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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