News

PROJECT UPDATE: Moodyville Townhouses

The display home is now open for our Moodyville Townhouses project! Located in North Vancouver’s Moodyville neighbourhood, The Morrison is a 31 unit townhouse development that evokes an inviting and robust lifestyle from within. Two rows of townhouses are oriented north to south and separated by a semi-public space to connect visually to the building interiors and invites opportunities for meeting. By considering the figure and ground as equality important, the former is used to shape the latter while allowing sufficient access to daylight and views within and beyond.

The concept was originally inspired by the mews row housing where Principal Architect Alec Smith had lived during his time in London. To learn more about this diverse mix of unit types (e.g., townhouses, stacked townhouses, two bedroom maisonettes and lock-off units), you can check out our project page or visit this link.

PROJECT UPDATE: 1037 West King Edward

The construction stage is well underway on this 100% affordable rental development comprising of a combination of townhouses, stacked homes, and apartments. Sitting atop a single floor of a concrete structural parkade, the building consists of a 2-storey wood frame residential component to the west that steps up to 4-storeys along the east to match commercial density across a commercial lane. While the majority of the structure has now been completed, a lot of mechanical and exterior envelope work is beginning to take place on site.

Stay tuned to see more progress on these much-needed two and three bedroom units catering to families in this centrally located neighbourhood in Vancouver.

PROJECT UPDATE: Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Centre

The Canadian Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Centre is currently under construction and is set to be completed in the new year. Today we’re highlighting a feature element of the project: the Atrium Stair. This celebrated stair is at the heart of the building, providing a necessary link between housed patients and support staff. The stair is programmed with breakout spaces at each level to allow for moments of repose, chance encounter, and social interaction between groups.

A major design precedent was M.C. Escher’s Penrose Stairs, also known as the “impossible stair.” Its two-dimensional depiction creates a continual illusive loop. Drawing from this concept, the Atrium Stair is designed to travel in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. This change in rotation along the path of travel fosters a moment of pause and provides aspect onto the atrium below.

The Space Between

The Space Between refers to transitions between buildings—the glue that holds a figure-ground together. Traditionally in residential architecture, spaces are defined as indoor or outdoor; transitional space is often not considered nor embraced. This diagram (or Nolli Plan) is a quick study comparing four current townhouse projects designed by SHAPE Architecture. Though they vary in scale, a clear organizational theme is evident in all. Centrally orientated communal areas form the nucleus of each design, creating an open social space that is both human in scale but porous at the scale of the city.

Nolli plans are perhaps the most reductive but also the most interesting tools for explaining spatial planning—here the space between is immediately obvious and understood. The journey from one place to another can be easily imagined, marking these spaces as destinations. Our interest as architects lies in enhancing the experience of such spaces. Each of these projects have been carefully considered to strengthen the spatial continuity and the consequent interaction between public and private; and between people and environment.

NEW PROJECT: UBC Recreation Centre North

SHAPE Architecture has been selected as the Architect for the New UBC Recreation Centre North. The new 100,000sf recreation facility will include 3 full-size gymnasia; state-of-the-art weight and cardio workout equipment; functional training and multipurpose spaces; an indoor running track; and office space. and is slated for completion in 2024. The project mandate is to create an inclusive space for all members of the UBC community which supports student wellness through formal and informal play. SHAPE Architecture is looking forward to working with the UBC community and stakeholders to develop the project vision for this exciting new recreation hub on campus.

PROJECT UPDATE: Maple Grove Elementary

We have a number of projects under construction this summer at various stages, including Maple Grove Elementary. These are site photos taken at various stages throughout the summer. With the cladding and windows nearing completion, the final exterior form, materiality, and courtyard spaces started to emerge. The building was only energized recently, so with drywall in place, the summer was an ideal time to understand the building interior’s natural light qualities. From the clerestory windows bathing the double-height wall in the north entrance with westerly afternoon sunshine; to learning commons lit equally from two sides; or the gymnasium gently filled with diffuse northern light. It all makes for a great excuse to step away from the computer and be inspired by ideas and sketches turning to reality on site.

Health+Wellness

As we all figure out what the new normal is, we’re also thinking about the important role that recreation centres play in connecting people and communities through physical activity. Whether it’s an informal game of pick-up, an intense evening of intramural, or a solo training session; these facilities are a second space to unwind and connect. Our responsibility as designers of recreation spaces is to encourage and inspire. From natural daylight and ventilation, to acoustic separation and visual connection; these are the elements we can strategically deploy to increase mental stimulation and improve physical fitness. And it’s not just in the main fitness spaces such as gymnasia or studios; the same care and consideration is applied to the interstitial and connecting spaces such as foyers and corridors. These flexible and dynamic spaces throughout the facility create opportunities for people to occupy them in new ways that no one could foresee.

PROJECT UPDATE: VMC Pre-Cast Concrete

PROJECT UPDATE: King Edward + Manitoba Townhouses

Stemming from the construction of the Canada Line, neighbourhoods along and adjacent to the Cambie corridor have seen a surge of development that has created abundant opportunities for new types of housing and commercial uses in addition to the existing fabric of single-family detaches houses. This project is one example of SHAPE Architecture’s ambitions to improve the options and availability of such housing in Vancouver.

A key component to the development is the loose organization of the 6 buildings around a centralized mews or “Village Green”: units entered from the mews are clearly identified with seating and thoughtful landscaping to encourage events to be held (e.g., outdoor barbecues and movies), as well as informal meetings between neighbours. This design also offers passive surveillance of the children and families who may wish to play outside.

Emphasizing the importance of creating a sustainable neighbourhood microcosm within the common spaces, Principal Architect Alec Smith stated that “The focal parts [such as main access points] created within the space not only demonstrate an urban idea for how the parts relate to the whole, but they are also practical. There is a deliberate impetus for sociability in the whole project, which allows architecture and design ambition to be linked with sociological ambition.” For additional information about the project, click here.

PROJECT UPDATE: Ash + 52/54 Townhouses

This proposed development spans from 52th Avenue to 54th Avenue along Ash street. As a large scale development across four city blocks, a thoughtful and considered approach to massing was required to create a unique and varied streetscape. The project recognizes the City of Vancouver’s mandate to enrich and enhance its existing laneways by strategically locating density along the lane, subverting traditional plot orientations.

In doing so a finer grain of urban development emerges, creating opportunities for more intimate scales of public space. These interstitial spaces allow for porosity throughout the site and are enlivened by vegetation and bioswales which follow the natural topography of the site. Due to its location on a prominent corner site, this project anticipates Vancouver’s laneways as inviting passages, lined with residences, planting, and programming, while providing a visual and pedestrian connection to the nearby Cambie Park. A mix of unit typologies allows for a variety of residents, creating a dynamic environment with lots of visual interest.