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 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 !
© 2012 DA Architects + Planners | SITE INFO
