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Want Vancouver to have more non-ugly buildings? Maybe support, enter this new urban design competition by July 14

July 6th, 2014 · 8 Comments

I think we can all agree that Vancouver, No. 1 rankings to the contrary, has managed to erect some of the least attractive buildings in the urban world. Every time I travel to any standard American city (Minneapolis currently), I’m shocked to see how many truly lovely houses, interesting mid-rise apartments, and beautifully designed office buildings they have in comparison to Vancouver.

Yes, we do have some well-designed buildings and neighbourhoods — both old and new. But,sorry, folks, there is still a lot of the single-family housing that looks like it was built from the Home Depot remainder bin. There are condos that have gone up recently (the Aquilini reproduction of London council housing next to the Cambie Bridge, to name one) that are a blight. And we have a disproportionate number of office buildings from the 1980s “mid-western insurance head office” architectural school.

So anything that might improve standards is to be welcomed, like these new City of Vancouver urban-design awards. Hope there is more than one entry per category.

Categories: Uncategorized

  • Roger Kemble

    “But, sorry, folks, there is still a lot of . . . ” well you name it.

    Urban design is not a local issue. ¡Este es un final de una cuestión de era! De Mondo

    I know of what I speak when it comes to Vancouver Urban Design. I practiced architecture in Vancouver from 1957 until 1997. I won every award, from a Silver Massey Medal in 1967, to the City of Nanaimo Design Award in 2009 and lots between. I have a MA (urban design) from SCARP. Good heavens I was even awarded Kits House Unsung Hero’s Award in 1978!

    From Teririch, who is out of town too much to make comparisons, to tedeastside who appears to have been stung at some time or another, and accordingly carries a jaded point of view, whatever is said comes with attachments!

    May I say from the outset, THERE IS NO URBAN DESIGN IN THE CITY OF VANCOUVER worthy of the expression? Whatever the outcome of this exercise you can be sure cronyism will play a part: that is the nature of small city insecurities,

    What we are about to see is a display of miss-placed political hubris on the part of a money induced craving to be acknowledged, i.e. the now obscured, unless your office is next to James Allen “Jim” Pattison, mountains and the sea, and limp posturing on the part of what is euphemistically call the architectural profession!

    As for those who build the town, there is a conglomeration of desperate businesses, frantically keeping up with their bank over draft and a, smaller, also desperate conglom, clinging onto an unattainable dream, thwarted by craven needs much greater than themselves.

    The problem is not unique to Vancouver. Note the ridiculous entries the VAG’s call for architects and indeed the newly developing suburban town of Santa Fe on the Northwestern section of Distrito federal Mexico City.

    Vancouver has one saving grace: Olympic Village alias Millennium Gardens and, as they say, the exception proves the rule!

    And, of course, Gastown and Gassy Jack’s Square, made humble by thu riot, of another now abandoned era!

    In my humble experience there are many fine Vancouverites: I worked and was friends with many. There is, nevertheless, an all-consuming patina of sleeze that makes it impossible to break out of that perfidious green/sustainable mold (in more than one sense).

    When it comes to rhetoric money rules in your little town Frances . . .

    When the developer of the proposed Oakridge development can say with impunity (and a straight face), “no one is doing what I am doing” you are hearing suburban Coquitlam loud and clear (and I say, take care). When his architect claims his work to be a sustainable model for all to follow you know you are listening to desperate provincialism: floggin’ ladies underwear, baubles and cheap trinkets to musak in an air conditioned retail ghetto is sustainable?

    Puleeezzzeee,

    Sustainable, green are other words for nothing left to lose! I could go on! This is desperation rank, adulterated: of a politico lost!

    Be sure whatever is said here, good or bad, the civic agglomeration of planning/design/develop is impervious to any comment.

    And, for what it’s worth, my travels have taken me little ways, Europe, North, Central, South America, IMO, for urban design, quite by chance it may be said, is Victoria’s downtown, especially the inner Harbour/Parliament Buildings precinct.

    Vancouver ain’t got nowt on that!

  • teririch

    @Roger Kemble #1

    I disagree that the Olympic Village is the exception to the rule.

    The towers under current construction are the typical box style we see being resurrected way too often. That ‘design’ seems to be the fallback cookie cutter option.

    The Oly Village area, in its entirety had the possibility of being something truly unique. But as it stands, some of those ‘new’ building already looked dated and cheap.

    I was in Seattle a few weeks back and went to visit the grave of Bruce Lee.( Why? Because I can) In order to get to that particular cemetery you travel through neighborhoods of beautiful old houses with fabulous trees and a true peacefulness about the area.

    The type of SFH areas that are under siege here in order to create a sea of cheaply made ugly towers under the guise of eco-density and ‘green’ washing.

    I have to admit, the developers that came up with micro-units and their marketing of them as simple living, save the earth, etc is brilliant. They have managed to corral a whole bunch of gullible people that believe by buying an overpriced hotel room where you pull your bed out of the wall and cook on a hot plate or a Barbie size stove – you are in some way enlightened. I give them kudos on that scheme.

    Hong Kong is rather interesting. It amazes me how the lower facades of building have been completely redone in order to house retail – all ultra modern, shiny and neon. And then you look up. And the balance of building – apartments in most instances, looks like they are ready to crumble. Some under repair with all the bamboo scaffolding attached to the outsides.

  • tedeastside

    vancouver actually has an office building??

    i thought that was just an old wives tale,…. there all around 80% vacant

    true vancouver is one the most bland un-attractive cities you’ll ever see

  • Jay

    Olympic Village is actually pretty nicely done. A variety of colour and materials which I thought was suppose to be the model for development moving forward. Unfortunately the same formula of blandness has continued as we see the rest of SE False Creek filling out at sim city like speed. I’m not sure why they even bother putting retail at street level along 2nd Ave. They’re crap and they only attract large corporate chains and services like a UPS store or an insurance office. Completely devoid of any colour, literally and figuratively. West 2nd is looking exactly like that wasteland in Toronto, City Place. Why does the UDP let this happen?

  • teririch

    @Jay #4:

    That same type of retail is emerging more and more on West 4th in Kits. Telco companies, banks, insurance, etc.

    They big corps are the only ones able to afford the rents.

    There are two apartment building that have been recently redone at Yew and Cornwall, next to Local.

    I give kudos to the planners for keeping the overall bones of the buildings. They’ve kept the original structures as they were and they look great. The have held onto their uniqueness.

  • boohoo

    Not sure how nominating the existing buildings for awards will achieve the objective of better architecture?

  • Otis Krayola

    Forget awards for existing buildings. How about we vote the most egregious examples off the island?

    First, the Scotia Tower goes – and they have to replace it with the Birks Building.

    Next, anything with a revolving-restaurant-in-the-sky is toast. Bye-bye, Landmark on Robson. So long, Sears tower.

    Does anyone remember when SFU was Eaton’s on Hastings? Or, remember Sears (let alone, Simpson’s)?

    I’m sure other examples abound.

  • Actually It’s Lovely

    If there were an international award for self deprecation Vancouverites would win it every year.