Award

86 | M A R C H 2 0 2 4 Alliance Française Vancouver Building R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y M C FA R L A N D M A RC E AU A RC H I T EC T S ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE VANCOUVER BUILDING by ROBIN BRUNET T he directors of Alliance Française (one of Vancouver's oldest and most enduring institutions, founded in 1904) and McFarland Marceau Architects spent a great deal of time and effort creating a new com- munity hub for French language culture and events, replacing a facility that had been in operation since 1968. Alliance executive director Damien Hubert says, "The classrooms and small theatre that comprised the old facility on Cambie Street were badly undersized and had structural prob- lems, so we embarked on developing a new facility on the site in 2015." But the project wasn't merely a replacement that would triple the space of the original facility at 28,720 square feet; it also needed to visually represent Alliance's cultural values and commitment to sustainability. The design solution proposed a mass timber superstructure, with CLT wall and roof panels plus Glulam col- umns and beams providing a serene interior throughout the facility. Craig Duffield of McFarland Marceau Architects adds, "Responding to the clients' desire to immerse visi- tors in a French cultural experience, we created a skylit atrium at the heart of the building, with an open stair- way that rises through all storeys, and transparency into surrounding spaces – allowing views of the cultural activities and filling the building with natural light." Other features included a third-storey outdoor space for students, reflecting a ground level outdoor space for the public. Getting approvals for the proj- ect proved to be a major challenge, not just for the mass timber aspect but also the building's size. "We were very close to the Oakridge redevelop- ment project and the city envisioned large new condos along the Cambie corridor, far larger than our project," Duffield explains. "Our concept was to pull back from the street wall to create a forecourt with a French café and art gallery – fostering street life, engaging the public, and supporting taller massing with greater presence." Fitting in all the programming was yet another challenge, and a dem- onstration kitchen and theatre were ultimately located behind the café and gallery. "The third-floor houses our education spaces and our library," Hubert says. The top floor was initially designed for leasable offices but was subsequently – and more fittingly – changed to art studios and classrooms. Ironically, Alliance Française's comparatively small size helped in the city ultimately approving it as Vancouver's first mass timber assembly occupancy building taller than two storeys. "Our code consul- tant also proposed a fire-rated roof structure and fire-retardant sealer on the exposed CLT, along with other measures," Duffield says. The visual warmth of wood is put to good effect with an extensive amount of timber components left visible in the interior rather than cov- ered in wallboard. "Materials for the interior also include acoustic panels, wood slats, and exposed concrete for the floor," Duffield says. "The exte- rior is mostly curtain wall with a few spandrel panels, high pressure lami- nate panels, and corrugated metal." "The design came together quickly compared to permitting, which took four years." The old Alliance Française headquarters was emptied in May of 2021 then demolished, and The Haebler Group began construc- tion with one level of underground parking. "It was a chaotic time to construct with labour shortages, cost increases, and even a concrete strike affecting us," Hubert says. Duffield adds, "With tight clear- ances, the use of steel columns and beams for the theatre became neces- sary, as mass timber would have been too large. It was also a task to route services due to the mass timber." Hubert is keenly anticipating mov- ing into the completed facility in the spring. "Thanks to COVID it took three years instead of 20 months to finish, but the wait was worth it," he says. For his part, Duffield says it was fulfilling to contribute something unique and culturally significant to the redeveloped Cambie corri- dor. "Alliance Française will act as a pause in the line of condos that will march up Cambie Street, a cultural node, a stage that draws the eye." Hubert concludes, "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to participate in creating some- thing really special, and we couldn't be happier with the result." A LOCATION 6161 Cambie Street, Vancouver, B.C. ARCHITECT McFarland Marceau Architects GENER AL CONTR ACTOR The Haebler Group STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Equilibrium Consulting Inc. MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Rocky Point Engineering ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Jarvis Engineering Consultants Ltd. CIVIL CONSULTANT CREUS Engineering CODE CONSULTANT Thorson Consulting | Certified Professionals TOTAL SIZE 28,720 square feet TOTAL COST $23 million

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