Waterfront homes. Olympic legacy. ›› p4
October 15, 2009
Making the most of the coast West Coast style
architecture
Architecture brings out the beauty of B.C. with design MAGGIE CALLOWAY What do we think of when we say West Coast Style? I think of heavy timbers to represent our abundance of trees, stone to represent our rocky shores and glass, lots of glass, to take advantage of our glorious views. There are many perceptions about just what is our own unique architecture; some call it contemporary and some modern. Let’s agree on West Coast Modernism, but whatever you call it, we all know it when we see it. The modernist movement started on the whole of the West Coast from Los Angeles to Vancouver but, because of the different environments, the development of this “West Coast style in Vancouver had more in common with style fits San Francisco, Portinto the land and Seattle. The environment; abundance of natural materials in these citit does not ies, as opposed to L.A, take away.” created a variation in application. What is it that inspired architects in cities up and down the West Coast, from the middle of the last century to the present day, to design homes in this distinctive style? Was it a rebellion against the design repetitions of the new suburbs or was it inspired by our dramatic geography? A major breakthrough was the development of the post-and-beam construction method. This new method, using weightbearing heavy timbers, allowed architects to design open-plan living areas, plus they were able to incorporate large expanses of glass to take advantage of views. Suddenly amazing possibilities opened up. Building sites that were considered impossible to build on because of the slope or CONTINUED ON P.2
A snowboarder flies through the air on the Cypress Mountain half-pipe at the FIS Snowboard World Cup. Courtesy of VANOC
Own the ultimate 2010 souvenir Millennium Water: Olympic Village and new homes in one TRICIA LESLIE
Award-winning architect and designer Raymond Letkeman at the entrance to Polygon’s Branches in North Vancouver. Letkeman grew up in Vancouver and loves using the West Coast architectural style to enhance new homes with the area’s natural beauty. Rob Newell photo
Bring up the Winter Olympics, and several images usually come to mind: daring snowboarders and ski jumpers flying through the air; fearless luge, skeleton and bobsleigh athletes zooming along icy tracks at breakneck speeds; hockey players facing off on freshly Zambonied ice. And, in the case of the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, new homes come to mind. New homes and the Olympics? That’s the idea at Millennium Water in Vancouver’s southeast False Creek, a new development on the last remaining tract of undeveloped waterfront land near downtown Vancouver. Millennium Water will be home to the Olympic Village during the 2010 Games. Afterward, homebuyers can live, work and play in the master-planned community. CONTINUED ON P.4
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Natural elements reflect nature CONTINUED FROM P.1
Plantings outside Polygon’s Branches add a natural touch. Rob Newell photo
heavy rock formations or even streams, suddenly became possible for the more adventurous of the designers. In our part of the world, ironically, the locations with the most stunning views of sea and sky, were challenging sites that were perfect for this new style both of design and building technique. The ability to use large expanses of glass is important to the whole aesthetic, as the flow from inside living to the outside needs to feel seamless. In fact, in some of the designs you will find overhead glass and metal garage doors forming one long wall. When the weather permits, the homeowner can press a button and the wall rolls up along the ceiling and there is no barrier between the formal living area and the outside. Those of you who have travelled by boat along the shores of West Vancouver toward Horseshoe Bay have seen quintessential examples of this style. The cliffs in that area lend themselves perfectly to West Coast style. The homes, which are sometimes stepped down the rocks, take full advantage of the physical location and the amazing views. The most impressive dwellings, using the natural tones of the surrounding environment, literally merge into the cliffs. West Vancouver architect Brian Hemingway personifies this passion for designing individual homes which flow into, not onto, the site. A great example of this is a home he designed called Tidewater, perched on the cliffs of West Vancouver. Standing outside the entrance to the home you can see the ocean through walls of glass; except for the stunning front door it appears there is no barrier between yourself and the sea. The owner of the original old home at that location had developed a naturalist, West Coast-style garden all the way down to the water. The new client gave instructions to Brian that he wanted to save as much of the garden as possible, so the house design, as is proper, was literally dictated by the desire to disturb the established plantings as little as possible. The results are superb. The house is dramatic and sits on the site exquisitely. The interior has been given as much care as the exterior. Hemingway, in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright, believes the designer’s job doesn’t stop at the completion of the house structure. He designs the custom light fixtures throughout the home so each works flawlessly in place. He also designs some of the furniture, even going as far as restructuring purchased furniture to make the whole home an organic experience, with nothing jarring the eye. From the laminated fir beams, to huge expanses of glass, to the natural slate floors, and even geothermal heating using the ocean, this house is a triumph. I asked another award-winning local architect, Ray Letkeman of Raymond Letkeman Architects Inc., who is also passionate about
At Polygon’s Branches on the North Shore, a chain guides rain water into cobble sumps, while (below) giant timbers frame a courtyard entrance. The use of natural materials is part of the West Coast design style. Rob Newell photo
this style of architecture, how he was influenced by his environment. “I grew up here in Vancouver and the magnificent gift we have of the sea, sky, mountains and forests, are almost an embarrassment of riches. How could this not influence my work as an architect?” he says, and outlines why he likes the style. “West Coast Style fits into the environment, it does not take away. The use of stone and wood and glass reflects and merges. The natural colours reflect the environment they don’t jar; there is fluid movement from the man-made to the natural setting.” Letkeman is the architect of record for Polygon’s Branches project in the North Shore’s Lynn Valley, a multi-unit combination of owned condos and rental units. What strikes you immediately as you approach the main entrance to this fourbuilding complex is the amazing use of heavy square timbers in a geometric pattern. This dramatic opening note sets the stage for the attention to detail obvious in the whole project. Unlike working for one client on a family home, which by necessity creates a very intimate relationship, designing a project for a variety of condo owners with different needs and configurations is another ballgame, one which was met with great imagination and style at Branches. With a keen understanding of the importance of the inside/outside dynamic, Letkeman created a large, beautiful courtyard surrounded by the four buildings of the project.
Natural Style
Above, images from a West Vancouver home entitled Tidewater illustrate how architect Brian Hemingway designed a house that works with its environment and showcases the area’s natural beauty.
The courtyard is big enough that the surrounding condo homes are not overlooking each other, but look out onto green grass and trees and places to sit and reflect. Beautiful now, the courtyard will only get better as the plantings mature. The trees surrounding the complex have been left in place to create that all-important feel of being part, not apart from, nature. Condo homeowners on the ground floor around the perimeter of the complex can enjoy gardens situated in such a way as to create privacy and intimacy. As we move more and more toward living in multi-family units it becomes extremely important the designer and developer are sensitive to the practical needs and, almost more important, the need of all of us to feel we are home. Letkeman has certainly achieved that with Branches’ design, while the West Coast architectural details add to the entire area’s beauty.
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A 2010 waterfront keepsake
‘It’s the first of its kind in North America’ CONTINUED FROM P.1
“Millennium Water will be housing up to 3,000 athletes during the Games,” says Linda Chu, Rennie Marketing senior project manager. Developed by Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Ltd., part of the Millennium Group, the project is the result of the efforts of more than 20 firms, including Merrick Architecture, Gomberoff Bell Lyon Architects, Arthur Erickson/Nick Milkovich Architects Inc., Walter Francl Architect Inc. and Lawrence Doyle Young & Wright Architects. Millennium Group was selected by the City of Vancouver as the successful proponent for the development in 2006 and paid $193 million to the city for the development sites, to build residential and modest market housing, commercial and retail space. In addition, Millennium is developing 250 units of affordable housing on behalf of the City of Vancouver. The sustainable community will offer an urban centre for residential, commercial and public use that will feature plenty of parks, a town square, a farmers’ market, a 30,000-square-foot
A rendering of Millennium Water shows its prime location on Vancouver’s waterfront at southeast False Creek. The community will house Olympic athletes during the 2010 Winter Games, then homebuyers will move into the stylish residences afterward.
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When the world is watching...
A competitor uses the Whistler Sliding Centre venue during the FIBT Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup. Luge, bobsleigh and skeleton events will all take place there in 2010. Courtesy of VANOC
A rare chance for waterfront city living
A Parkside Collection of Georgian Rowhomes TATTON offers the perfect blend of thoughtful design and a tranquil neighbourhood setting. These three and four bedroom rowhomes border Victoria Park and Leigh Elementary School. With MOSAIC’s reputation for unique design and quality, an accessible price makes TATTON a rare ďŹ nd.
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A bridge will span False Creek and connect to a seawall on the southeast side, where Millennium Water is being constructed (top photo), while a rendering depicts a view of the development from the other side of the creek (above). Homes at Millennium Water will feature chic, European-inspired design, noticeable in the kitchens (left). The master-planned community is sustainable as well, and will use conservation strategies to be energy-efficient, such as green roofs and recycling rain water.
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community centre that includes a childcare centre and non-motorized boating facility. All buildings will be built to LEED Gold or Platinum standards, while waterfront greenways and bikeways will encourage residents to take advantage of B.C.’s beautiful outdoors. “It’s the first of its kind in North America,� Chu says of the Millennium Water community, and notes that the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee will take over at the end of this month. “The official date for handover to VANOC is Oct. 31.� After the Games are done, people will start to move into the still-new homes, which include 620 condominiums and townhouse units, 130 units of modest market housing, and the 250 affordable housing units. During the Games, Chu explains, temporary carpet will cover the floors while athletes enjoy their stay. “The hardwood goes in after,� she says. Kitchens will be completely covered in recycled wheat board, which will be removed afterward. “It’s still a brand-new kitchen, a brand-new home.� More than 250 homebuyers have already purchased residences at Millennium Water, Chu says. Talk about the ultimate 2010 souvenir. But more than owning a stylish new home that has the Olympic ‘wow’ factor, Chu thinks people will want to live at Millennium Water for its location and urban centre. Post-Games businesses in the area will include Urban Fare, London Drugs and a Mark James Brew Pub, among others. “Millennium has really taken it upon themselves to create a great community,� Chu says, and notes the seawall will connect to the new bridge in that community. “I think the location is the biggest thing. Waterfront living in Vancouver is becoming more and more rare.� Already, international buzz has spread about Millennium Water, Chu adds, confiding that they’ve heard several times that the Vancouver athlete’s village is “the best one ever.� “I think, when the world turns its eyes to us and they see this amazing city and village, it will be great.� Homes at Millennium Water start at $475,000. Visit www.millenniumwater.com for more information.
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