Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1274063
62 | J U LY 2 0 2 0 Arts Umbrella a remarkable series of events that was triggered by Richard developing a con- cept of how all our programs could fit into the south building," says Larocque. Architectural expression was not a mandate in the adaptive reuse of the Patkau structure. "The original building already had many wonder- ful architectural features," Henriquez says. "However, one of the places where we thought we could make a bit of a change and add the Arts Umbrella image was the entrance canopy and sign at the new main floor entrance. "Most of the 'fabric' of the original building was retained, one exception being the lecture hall that was trans- formed into a theatre by pushing the seats back and enlarging the stage to accommodate theatre and dance performances." Larocque remarks, "That partic- ular venue is on the third floor and, like other components of the facility, reflects the countless hours Richard spent with artistic staff to make the redesigned spaces work." A major challenge lay in the build- ing's circulation system. Henriquez explains, "Previously there had been two entrances to two sections of the building: the library on the main floor and the rest of the school on the upper two floors approached by the grand staircase. This had to be changed for security reasons, so that Arts Umbrella could have all comers enter on the main floor past a reception desk and then access the upper floor in a controlled manner by a secure grand staircase." Gutting a structure of this size was also challenging from a cost control point of view, but thanks to experi- enced cost consultants and project managers BT Y Group along with ITC Construction Group, contingency and escalation allowances were provided for in the budget, and the work began in January of 2019 as scheduled. In July, as construction continued on the new Arts Umbrella head- quarters, Larocque reported that the pandemic caused minimal delays and the project is still slated for comple- tion in the fall: "The former Emily Carr University facility is already vis- ibly transformed, with windows cut into the corrugated metal of the fourth floor and the roof raised to accommo- date the studios." Larocque concludes, "We're so grateful to the government and the private sector for supporting this vision, and for the designers and builders who are bringing it to life. This is an exciting time for us." A LOCATION 1400 Johnston Street, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Arts Umbrella ARCHITECT Henriquez Partners Architects GENER AL CONTR ACTOR ITC Construction Group STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Integral Group ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Nemetz (S/A) & Associates TOTAL SIZE 69,200 square feet TOTAL COST $27 million R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E SY H EN R I Q U EZ PA RT N ER S A RC H I T EC T S + A RT S U M B R EL L A 2009 WEST 4TH AVENUE VANCOUVER, BC V6J 1N3 T. (604) 736.6562 F. (604) 736.9805 525 11TH AVENUE SW, SUITE 305 CALGARY, AB T2R 0C9 T. (403) 294.9027 F. (403) 294.9028 214 KING STREET WEST, SUITE 214 TORONTO, ON M5H 3S6 T. (647) 253.0086 F. (647) 253.2085 WWW.NEMETZ.COM PROUD TO BE THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS ON THE ARTS UMBRELLA PROJECT FM37463.indd 1 7/15/20 8:57 AM info@edgettexcavating.ca 250.339.6100 We specialize in the installation and repair of underground utilities. Water Main Storm Main Sewer Main Electrical Duct Communications Duct Slope Stabilization / Armouring Subdivision Development Environmentally Sensitive Projects Proud underground utilities partner with Aurora Coast. Edgett_excavating @EdgettEx Edgett_Excavating_Ltd EdgettExcavating_0720.indd 1 6/25/20 1:10 CornerstoneTile_0420.indd