Each year, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) honours the best completed work by our Province's architects. The awards are intended to recognize the role of AIBC member architects, associates and firms in the built environment, and to encourage public interest in B.C. architects and architecture. The 2017 shortlist, announced on April 25, includes the Audain Art Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, Congregation Beth Israel, the UBC Campus Energy Centre, the UBC Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, and the controversial Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver.
The AIBC Media Release is as follows:
Vancouver, B.C. — The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is pleased to announce a stellar line-up of finalists for the AIBC Architectural Awards, a program that shines a spotlight on architectural excellence. Submissions were considered in five categories: Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award in Architecture, Medal and Merit Levels; Innovation; Emerging Firm; and, Special Jury.
Winners will be announced on May 10 at the AIBC Architecture Awards Ceremony.
The acclaimed jury is chaired by Michael Heeney Architect AIBC, FRAIC, Principal, Bing Thom Architects Inc., with Alex Bozikovic, Architectural Critic, Globe and Mail; Andrew Gruft Retired Architect AIBC, Professor Emeritus, UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture; Donald Luxton FRAIC, Principal, Donald Luxton and Associates Inc.; Jason King Architect AIBC, Owner, Jason King Architects; and, Peeroj Thakre Architect AIBC, Principal, ph5 Architecture Inc.
Shortlisted Submissions:
Audain Art Museum by Patkau Architects Inc.
Audain Art Museum by Patkau Architects Inc. Photographer credit: James Dow
The Audain Art Museum is a 56,000 sq. ft. private museum located in Whistler, British Columbia. The deliberately restrained form and character of the building provides a quiet, minimal backdrop to the art within and the surrounding natural landscape.
Christ Church Cathedral Restoration and Renewal by Proscenium Architecture and Interiors, Inc.
Christ Church Cathedral Restoration and Renewal by Proscenium Architecture and Interiors, Inc. Photographer credit: Martin Knowles
The crowning feature of the current project is the addition of the highly-anticipated bell spire at the northeast corner of the Cathedral. The bell spire bridges the aesthetic gap between the Cathedral and its modern accessibility addition.
Phase 1 of this work was completed in joint venture with Iredale Group Architecture.
Congregation Beth Israel Renovation and Expansion by Acton Ostry Architects Inc.
Congregation Beth Israel Renovation and Expansion by Acton Ostry Architects Inc. Photographer credit: Michael Elkan
Since 1948, Congregation Beth Israel has been located on Oak Street in Vancouver. The existing synagogue was retained and re-purposed for social and educational activities, and to provide a buffer between Oak Street and the newly renovated house of worship.
Friesen Wong House by D'Arcy Jones Architecture Inc.
Friesen Wong House by D’Arcy Jones Architecture Inc. Photographer credit: Undine Prohl
The Friesen Wong House is situated on a rocky knoll, amid the treed and free-flowing topography of the Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. The house takes a dual relationship to the rocky site: a cantilevered terrace is at one moment level with the existing rock and then, a few steps away, soaring above it.
Queensway Transit Exchange by VIA Architecture Inc.
Queensway Transit Exchange by VIA Architecture Inc. Photographer credit: Ed White Photographics
Queensway Transit Exchange provides a prominent and important landmark for the City of Kelowna. An elegant, unique and unifying shape was desired as a ‘place-making’ opportunity for the City; a shape which would visually and physically provide shelter and community.
Sneakerbox by DCYT Architecture
Sneakerbox by DCYT Architecture Photographer credit: Jon Meade
Located inside Park Royal West Vancouver Shopping Centre, Sneakerbox is a 1,100 sq. ft. trendy sneakers retail store. Wood pallet in its raw form and geometry is the architect’s tool to relate the design of this unique interior to the ever-growing generation of high fashion but rules-defying sneaker followers.
T3 Minneapolis by Michael Green Architecture Inc., Architect of Record DLR Group
T3 Minneapolis by Michael Green Architecture Inc., Architect of Record DLR Group Photographer credit: Ema Peter Photography
T3, which stands for ‘Timber, Technology, Transit,’ in Minneapolis, is the first and largest mass timber building constructed in the United States in over one hundred years. It is a game changer for the commercial building industry and a milestone for mass timber construction in the United States.
Tsawwassen Beach Home by Frits de Vries Architect Ltd.
Tsawwassen Beach Home by Frits de Vries Architect Ltd. Photographer credit: Ema Peter Photography
Located on the beachfront in Tsawwassen, B.C., this compact two-storey home blurs the boundary between its contemporary interior and the natural beachfront. The efficient and open plan is designed with a focus on ocean views, while affording protection from strong winds and providing considerable privacy within.
UBC Campus Energy Centre by DIALOG BC Architecture Engineering Interior Design Planning
UBC Campus Energy Centre by DIALOG BC Architecture Engineering Interior Design Planning Photographer credit: Ema Peter Photography
The University of British Columbia’s Campus Energy Centre (CEC) is a state-of-the-art hot water boiler facility that provides the heating requirements for the campus. The selective use of different panel types enlivens the building’s simple volume by the play of light across and through the shroud.
UBC Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre by HCMA Architecture + Design Inc. in joint venture with KPMB Architects
UBC Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre by HCMA Architecture + Design Inc. in joint venture with KPMB Architects Photographer credit: Nic Lehoux
The Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre is more than just a building. Dedicated to UBC’s alumni, it’s a campus ‘home for life’ and offers the resources to support an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship with the University.
1151 West Georgia Street by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership Architects Designers Planners in joint venture with DYS Architecture
1151 West Georgia Street by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership Architects Designers Planners in joint venture with DYS Architecture Photographer credit: Andrew Latreille, Latreille Architectural Photography
1151 West Georgia Street, Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver, is conceived as a singular pure form rising from the ground plane to the roof in a graceful spiral, creating a powerful iconic form on the Vancouver skyline.
Winner of the Emerging Firm category will be announced at the awards ceremony.
