Award

OCTOBER 2017 | 59 project as remediation sites can only handle so much material at once." Another issue: because the existing pedestrian concourse of BC Place Stadium was within the footprint of the new building, engineering firm Bogdonov Pao Associates Ltd. needed to undertake a partial demolition (Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers, meanwhile, was the base building engineering firm of record). "This was an interesting project with several challenging aspects to demolition plan," explains Bogdonov Pao Associates' principal Paul Tomei. "We needed to establish a clear plan for shoring the hollow core slabs while saw cutting over construction joints to safely remove slabs and had to design a new permanent support for existing concrete moment frame that was partially demolished." The process was further complicated by the fact that the project was fast- tracked: the foundation construction began before the building was even fully designed. This, of course, had a major impact on the final concept. "Early decisions can have a cascading effect on what choices are available in the latter design and construction phases," explains Michael Watts, architect with IBI Group, who took over for ACDF after the initial schematic design was developed. "This method of project delivery requires foresight, restraint and the ability to quickly make decisions and skillfully solve unanticipated problems." But despite these obstacles, things eventually started falling into place. Frappier favoured a design approach known as "contrast design," making use of contrasting assemblies to create a distinct presence without overdoing it. "We didn't want to make use of an outrageously sculptural, extravagant, or spectacular architecture," he says. Instead, the architecture team played with dark glass and clear glass, paired sharp edges with curves and outfitted monolithic massic with light accessories like metallic louvres. "These contrasting assemblages help to capture the attention of the passerby and thus confer to the building a status more distinctive in the city," says Frappier. "The result is an architecture that has a strong presence in the city, while being also quite sober and refined – two characteristics that we hope will guarantee a certain form of perennial." Though the developer's internal interior design team handled the gaming and convention levels, three additional interior design firms contributed to the design of Parq's other spaces: Toronto's Studio Munge took on the JW Tower and several restaurants, while Celano Design Studio of New York City did the Douglas tower and some restaurants of its own; SixteenFifty Creative Intelligence of La Jolla, California, meanwhile, was the interior designer of the Victor Steakhouse and Spa. The gaming levels on the second and third floor reimagine what a casino can be thanks to plentiful natural light that flows in through oversized windows, and with 178 rooms and 10 suites in the Douglas (which boasts a full-sized fir tree replica stand encased in glass in the lobby) and another 281 rooms and 48 suites in the JW Marriott (plus a spa), the flow of people throughout this space is sure to be constant. Overall, it's like nothing Vancouverites have ever seen before, and though Parq may be intended as a tourist destination, it's sure to attract plenty of local love as well now that the doors are officially open. "The level of design and finish, especially in the podium area of the building is rarely seen in a private commercial setting," says Reid. "This really raises the bar for high-end entertainment facilities." A LOCATION 39 Smithe Street, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER Parq Holdings GENERAL CONTRACTOR EllisDon Tishman ARCHITECT OF RECORD IBI Group Architects DESIGN ARCHITECTS ACDF / A49 STRUCTURAL CONSULTANTS Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers (base building) Bogdonov Pao Associates Ltd. (existing concourse) MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Integral Group INTERIOR DESIGN Studio Munge / Celano Design Studio / SixteenFifty Creative Intelligence TOTAL SIZE 775,000 square feet above grade 450,000 square feet below grade TOTAL PROJECT COST $640 million Parq Vancouver 3:15 PM Proud to have worked with EllisDon Tishman on another spectacular project – Parq Vancouver Professional People, Progressive Products www.progressive-air.ca Progressive Air.indd 1 2017-09-20 11:52 AM Protec.indd 1 2017-09-13 9:02 FM35491.indd 1 2017-09-22 8:51 AM Do you have a project of interest to our readers? If you would like your project to be considered for a future issue of Award, please email: Dan Chapman, Publisher dchapman@canadawide.com

• Cover