August 30, 2017

New design, Vancouver-style

courthouse2
If you’re an architectural photographer, or a painter for that matter, or you take pictures of cars for magazines, you typically look for an oblique angle to capture The Beauty Shot, as Stuart Thomson did a century ago to record the new courthouse from the corner of Howe and Georgia.
courthouse
That view is now blocked by the … the … what is that thing anyway? Is this where the militia will stand to fire down onto the protesting crowds? Does this annoy anyone else, or is it just nostalgic me? Is this part of the broader trend, identified by Ray Spaxman and others, of new design (of, say, condo towers) completely disrespecting its neighbours?
Fire away, metaphorically….

Posted in

Support

If you love this region and have a view to its future please subscribe, donate, or become a Patron.

Share on

Comments

  1. It is horrid. Some architects believe they must make a modernist expression each time they encounter architecture of our past. It seems to be some expression of defiance.

  2. It’s certainly puzzling.
    I’ve never been sure what the solution is for a major public space shaded for much of the year by an imposing, alienating, and (sorry, my opinion…) banal piece of neo-classical architecture. The building literally pushes people away from its north facade, leaving a dead zone of significant dimensions in the heart of the city.
    Heritage issues aside, I’ve sometimes idly thought that the best purely urban design approach might be to pick the entire thing up, move it 35m or so closer to Georgia, and create a truly usable sunny plaza on the south side. The smaller north side plaza could then be given over to creating a more formal space that might add something positive to the overall expression of the building.

  3. Not very attractive. I can’t understand why they would need to clutter up that viewpoint with something that seems unnecessary?

  4. Successful urban plazas and town squares are successful (and safe) because they have fine-grained activated edges that attract people to come and to stay. Activated with retail that is, specifically restaurants/cafes with outdoor seating.
    This building at the corner is a cafe.. much needed in that it will, at least, activate one side of this urban space. And, of course, it is placed where it should be; the sunniest corner.
    Otherwise this would become an underused space with nice paving.
    Of course, its’ architectural style is up for critique.

    1. In my opinion, the notion of urban plazas is broader, not necessarily is restricted to an open space (furniture-free at the central area). There are many excellent precedents showing many different approaches.
      Having said that, I agree this approach fits better for this space. However, if that was the intent, I don’t think it is been completely achieved, especially with this stand. I don’t see a cafe here but a lost opportunity to what it could have been a flexible structure / building to accommodate, for instance, a higher-than-grade stage for performances, as it’s been pointed out, and in consistency with the open space to the north.

  5. It could have three uses. Cafe (cool idea!).), bus stop shelter, and if they could just fold down that weird spiky guardrail thingie up top on the plaza side, a small performance stage.

  6. Keep Vancouver Curious!
    The absence of curiosity in these comments is demoralizing. The plaza isn’t even complete and the cranks have already shared their stale opinions.

Subscribe to Viewpoint Vancouver

Get breaking news and fresh views, direct to your inbox.

Join 7,284 other subscribers

Show your Support

Check our Patreon page for stylish coffee mugs, private city tours, and more – or, make a one-time or recurring donation. Thank you for helping shape this place we love.

Popular Articles

See All

All Articles