News

Truth & Reconciliation Day

SHAPE Architecture is closed on Monday Sept 30th to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This statutory day is one of the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. Also Orange Shirt Day, it honours the lost children and survivors of Canada’s residential school system. It is a day for thought and reflection – by educating ourselves, we raise our awareness of the inter-generational impacts of Indigenous history, and what it means for reconciliation.

Join us in developing a better understanding, learning more about the calls to action, and how you can get involved. Below are links to learning resources and events happening today in the Greater Vancouver area.

Learning Resources

 

Activities

Arts Umbrella National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Granville Island
1400 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S1

Create and Connect: Truth and Reconciliation Day at MONOVA
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Granville Island
115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7

Family Storytime on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
10:30 am – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Richmond Public Library
Brighouse 100-7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8

Finding Your Voice: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Place des Arts
1:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Place des Arts
1120 Brunette Avenue Coquitlam, BC V3K 1G2

 

Film Screenings

We Were Children
10:30 am – 4:30 pm
1st screening: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm / 2nd screening: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Trout Lake Community Centre
3360 Victoria Drive,
Vancouver, V5N 4M4

Museum of Vancouver – Truth and Reconciliation Day: NFB Film Screenings 
10:30 am and 1:00 pm
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J 3J9

Indigenous Short Films Screening at the Richmond Public Library
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Richmond Public Library
Brighouse 100-7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BCV6Y 1R8

 

Events and Walks

Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
11:45 am – 3:00 pm
UBC Outdoor Amphitheatre
1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

Orange Shirt Day at Grandview Park
11:00 am – 3:00 pm (Walk meet up at 10:00 am, starting at 11:00 am)
Grandview Park
1657 Charles St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2T4

Orange Shirt Day Commemoration at Templeton Pool
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Indigenous Welcome Garden – Templeton Pool and Park
700 Templeton Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 4X9

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Learning Opportunity: Downstream Where the Waters Mix Exhibition (All Ages) – New Westminster Museum
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
New Westminster Museum – 3rd Floor of Anvil Centre
777 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3M 1B6

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Teaching Pow Wow
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Queens Park South Field (near the baseball field)
101 3rd Ave, New Westminster, BC

Day of Truth on Orange Shirt Day
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Derek Doubleday Arboretum
21559 Fraser Hwy, Langley, BC V3A 4M6

Community Walk for Truth and Reconciliation – Tsawwassen First Nation
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
TFN Recreation Centre
1929 Tsawwassen Drive, Tsawwassen, BC

Walk for Truth and Reconciliation – White Rock
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza and Semiahmoo Park
15400 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1Y6

Image credit: Government of Canada

PROJECT UPDATE: Cladding for UBC Recreation Centre North

Cladding details up close. SHAPE Architecture was thrilled to collaborate with LAM Metals again (check out Maple Grove Elementary for our last collaboration) to develop 3 custom metal cladding profiles for UBC Recreation Centre North. We then randomized these panels using parametric design (and good taste) to create a textural appearance that changes depending on the distance it’s viewed from, as well as the time of day.

Client: UBC Recreation
Owner’s Rep: UBC Properties Trust
General Contractor: ETRO Construction
Cladding: LAM Metal

PROJECT INFO: Spotlight on Newton Recreation Centre’s Public Art

It’s all in the details. Today we’re spotlighting “Fern Façade”—a public art installation by artist Sean Alward. Ceramic ink-fused (frit) glass patterns in the shape of fern fronds wrap around both the south and east windows of the Newton Recreation Centre, forming a tree “grove” that envelops the building and weaves it into the existing landscape of trees framing the facility.

While beautiful as a mural, the floor-to-ceiling patterns serve a functional purpose in providing coverage to block out just the right level of sunlight for moderating temperatures. Working with the artist, we used an algorithm to calculate the optimal level of pattern coverage, relative to the amount of sunlight, while still allowing views of the exterior plaza spaces.

Have you experienced Fern Façade yourself? Let us know. Find out more about the project here.

EVENT: SHAPE Architecture at the Passive House Canada Conference

Professional development time. Last week Ciaran Long and Aaron Szeto from our office attended the Passive House Canada Conference, where Akira Living presented a special feature of the Connaught Triplex project. Did you attend the conference as well? Let us know if you managed to catch this session!

PROJECT UPDATE: Menno Hall Groundbreaking

This week marked a major milestone for the Menno Hall project as we broke ground on a project that has been years in the making. This journey has been one of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment. It has been rewarding to work hand in hand with the Pacific Centre for Discipleship Association and Hyland Properties, and their willingness to embrace new ideas to drive the project vision forward.

We especially thank our team of amazing collaborators, whose expertise has been instrumental in bringing this project together. Stay tuned for more construction updates.

Collaborators:

  • Builder: Axiom Builders
  • Structural: Fast + Epp
  • Mechanical: AME Group
  • Electrical: AES Engineering
  • Civil: Core Group
  • Landscape Architect: HAPA Collaborative,
  • Code: McAuley Consulting
  • Envelope: Entuitive
  • Transportation: Bunt & Associates,
  • Acoustic: BAP Acoustics
  • Audiovisual: PATCON Audiovisual
  • Elevator: GUNN Consultants,
  • Commercial Kitchen: Pacific Restaurant Supply

PROJECT UPDATE: Grace Townhouses

If you’ve been in the Ash and W 30th neighbourhood recently, you may have noticed ongoing construction. The Grace Project with Conwest Developments is nearing completion. We’re excited to see the finished development.

AWARDS: Maple Grove Elementary Shortlisted for the 2024 WAN Awards Americas

We’re excited to announce that Maple Grove Elementary School (MGE) was shortlisted for the 2024 WAN Awards Americas, under the Institutions Category. This project was completed in association with Montgomery Sisam Architects.

The WAN Awards by World Architecture News aim to acknowledge and celebrate excellent architecture within various geographical regions. These Awards recognise outstanding works that are innovative, visionary and imaginative.

Curious to learn more about MGE and the WAN Awards? Check out the links below.

PROJECT UPDATE: Blatchford Fire Station No. 8

A preview of new renderings for Blatchford Fire Station No.8! Fitness is a crucial aspect for firefighters as it promotes both their mental and physical well-being. Our design team listened to the needs of the firefighters – working with them to create a spacious and comfortable fitness room that is bright and welcoming. Users have a clear view and access of the courtyard, allowing them to easily transition between indoor and outdoor activities.

Learn more about the project here.

PROJECT UPDATE: UBC Rec North Construction

The main feature stair at UBC Recreation Centre North is a key wayfinding element within the building. It weaves together the various levels of the publicly accessible fitness program and is visible from all three building entrances. The exposed steel structures will be concealed once construction is complete.

STUDIO UPDATE: Nick Sully Named as a 2024 RAIC Fellow

We are honoured to announce that Managing Partner Nick Sully has been named as a 2024 RAIC Fellow for his contributions to the profession.

“A Fellow of the RAIC College is a member of the RAIC who has achieved professional eminence or has rendered distinctive service to the profession or to the community at large. Nomination and advancement to Fellowship is administered by the RAIC College. Fellowship is bestowed upon individuals through a nomination process and recognizes members for their contribution to research, scholarship, public service, or professional standing to the good of architecture in Canada, or elsewhere.”

Nick co-founded SHAPE Architecture in 2007 on the premise that critical design practice can be both commercially viable and environmentally responsible. Over the last two decades, his focus has been on place-making; unlocking design potential with low energy / high performance design solutions and progressive engagement with technology.

His work on ecological densification in Vancouver in the 2000’s helped pave the way for fundamental changes to Vancouver’s Land-Use bylaws which enabled multiple residences on single-family lots across the City, transforming the way families live in Vancouver.

Nick’s work has been recognized with the 1999 AIBC Gold Medal, several City of Vancouver Urban Design Awards, the 2016 RAIC National Urban Design Medal, 2018 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal and the 2020 Governor General’s Medal.

He has over twenty five years of experience leading both local and international projects at multiple scales. Nick was also previously chaired the UBC Advisory Design Panel, and was a former board member for the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

This year’s Fellows will be officially inducted to the RAIC College on Thursday, May 16 during the 2024 RAIC Conference. Congratulations to all 41 new RAIC Fellows!

Learn more about this year’s RAIC Fellows here.