Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177525
of the complex structure proved challenging and at times laborious: teams had to work around nearby infrastructure like the seaplane and cruise ship terminals, plan construction over water and deal with record price increases in steel and other materials. "To respond to the site's unique opportunities, we basically re-shaped the prototypical black-box, introverted building form and turned it inside out," explains Knill. The result was well worth the effort. Completed in April 2009, the West Building is now considered a pioneer among its kind, with an open layout that de ies traditional convention centre designs, responds to its waterfront location and contributes to its distinction of being the irst of its kind in the world to achieve LEED Platinum status. According to Knill, the project's success can largely be attributed to the resourcefulness and lexibility of the architectural team. "It's incredibly satisfying to have worked on a structure that has become such a critical piece of Vancouver's urban fabric," Knill says. The tourism industry, as well as meetings and events planners worldwide, seems to agree: as a result of the convention centre's redesign and expansion, Vancouver has received such widespread interest from the industry that it was recently named North America's top city for international meetings. Annual economic activity as a direct result of convention centre business numbers in the hundreds of millions, with more than 350 events taking place there every year. And all this thanks to the building's design. But despite the building's in luence on tourism and the local economy, says Knill, its most important attribute is that it blends seamlessly into the city setting. "In many ways, the convention centre is a 'non-building'," he explains. "It's not an overwhelmingly iconic structure like the original Canada Place or Harbour Centre; from Stanley Park, it's nearly invisible. What this shows is that successful architecture doesn't have to overpower its neighbours; it should act as a foil for nearby structures and public spaces. With the convention centre, that involved preserving and showcasing the spectacular water and mountain views that Vancouver is known for." Over the years, DA Architects + Planners' work on the "nonbuilding" has generated a slew of awards and accolades from prestigious design organizations and publications worldwide, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and SAB (Sustainable Architecture and Building magazine). In addition to the convention centre, Knill and his team have worked on citywide projects ranging from heritage buildings to pioneering landmarks. They are currently Above: Chateau Blanc, Big White Ski Resort, B.C. Below: Port Coquitlam master plan. involved with several heritage school renewal projects, including Ridgeway and Queen Mary schools in North Vancouver and Kitsilano Secondary School in Vancouver. At the same time, the irm has embraced the challenge of forwardthinking projects like the groundbreaking River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, the irst facility of its type in B.C. The latter project's aggressive construction schedule led the team to improve on the normal fast-track system by creating a "lightning-fast track" that cut in half the normal construction period. This sped-up approach has extended to international dealings as well. Outside of North America, the irm is becoming a major presence in China, where time constraints and complex design requirements are par for the course. "Architects are famous for providing more information than is required at the preliminary stages," says Knill. "Our work in China has weaned us of this habit by forcing us to design a variety of building types in an extremely short amount of time. It's also been a valuable training ground for our less experienced designers." Building on its already well-established community engagement, the irm is also involved with projects that include local resorts (Chateau Blanc at Big White and Tug Boat Landing in Gibsons); the irst mixed-use high rise building in Langley; and recreational projects like I-Fly, a skydive training facility. Knill is particularly excited about the renewal of Pearson College on Vancouver Island, originally a collaborative effort between Ron Thom, Barry Downs and Cornelia Hahn Oberlander. Despite the diversity of these projects, all share a need for considerable consultation with stakeholders and the public. "We've developed quite the expertise in mediating among different players," says Knill. "Naturally, that's essential as we continue to promote community engagement." As for upcoming endeavours, the team is open to whatever the future may bring. "My crystal ball is foggy right now," Knill laughs. "I would be delighted if some of our interrupted projects, like Big White or the River Rock expansion, become active once again." Knill also hopes to work more on educational institutions and complex mixed-use projects in Metro Vancouver. "These types of higher density structures help to reduce our environmental footprint, but the easy building sites in the city have already been used," he explains. "That means architects and planners will need to be much more creative in determining how best to utilize the spaces we have left. Naturally, this will also require more community and civic engagement." Clearly, these are skills that Knill and his colleagues have demonstrated time and again – and that means their irm is poised to lead the way for future designers as Vancouver enters a new phase of architectural style. One de inition of urban design describes it as the process of creating cities, of blending architecture and infrastructure to make urban areas both esthetically pleasing and functional. And really, that's what Knill and his team are trying to do – one building at a time. ■ DA Architects + Planners p.06-09DA Arch.indd 8 1/23/12 10:08:04 AM