The winners of the 2019 AFBC Architectural Awards were announced at a ceremony held on November 4, 2019. Eight awards were presented in four categories, representing outstanding and exceptional work from the architectural community in British Columbia. Projects hailed from across the province and around the world – from an art gallery in North Vancouver, to an opera house in Hong Kong, and a place of contemplation in Kootenay Bay. While there was an impressive range of projects, the calibre of each building elevated the built environment in a significant and substantial way.
Debuting this year, the Architecture Foundation of B.C. (AFBC) hosted the awards program, with interim assistance from the AIBC, who previously ran the program. Transferring the program to the AFBC was made possible given a revitalized relationship between the two organizations whose mandates are separate and distinct.
“Raising awareness of architecture and design is one of the Foundation’s goals, so taking on the Architectural Awards Program was a perfect fit,” shared Architecture Foundation of B.C. chair Veronica Gillies. “The recipients awarded at this year’s ceremony certainly speak to excellence in the built environment across the province, as well as abroad.”
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture recognize excellence in completed architectural projects led or designed by AIBC members. Two projects received the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award in Architecture – Medal:
- Xiqu Centre by Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.) and Ronald Lu & Partners Ltd. in Association.
- Polygon Gallery by Patkau Architects Inc.
Three projects received the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture – Merit:
- Edgemont Residence by BattersbyHowat Architects Inc.
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis & Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong by Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.)
- Howard Residence by ABC Architecture Building Culture Inc.
The AFBC Innovation Award recognizes achievements that are not strictly ‘architectural,’ but that have a direct bearing on the future of architecture in areas such as design, building technology, use of materials and sustainability.
- Temple of Light by Patkau Architects Inc., for advancing construction of complex innovative forms through economical means.
The AFBC Special Jury Award is given for exceptional achievement, selected from all awards submissions and determined by the jury.
- AFBC Special Jury Award to the College of New Caledonia Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility by the Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers Inc. for elevating the design of an industrial academic facility.
- AFBC Special Jury Award to The Duke by Acton Ostry Architects Inc. for incorporating community connection into architectural design.
2019 Architectural Award Recipients – Project Background and Photos
Xiqu Centre by Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.) and Ronald Lu & Partners Ltd. in Association
Xiqu Centre is the new home for traditional Chinese opera and marks the gateway to Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. Floating the 1100-seat main theatre created a stunning atrium space below with an interior plaza for the public to enjoy. The venue features a facade of woven metal panels which gently pull back, like curtains, revealing the vibrant energy of the plaza within. Photo credit: Ema Peter
Polygon Gallery by Patkau Architects Inc.
Polygon Gallery stands at the front of urban waterfront renewal, in a previously industrial area, which is now a central cultural hub. Its simple yet bold form is demonstrated through layers of stainless steel that capture light and atmosphere. Within, the gallery space is conceived as a ready instrument, free of obstacles, and able to accommodate any form of art and media. Photo credit: Robert Stefanowicz
Edgemont Residence by BattersbyHowat Architects Inc.
This 4200 square foot residence is located in North Vancouver, B.C. With close proximity to neighbours and limited views, the focus of the home is primarily oriented west, towards a forested ravine. The design of the home showcases a dynamic facade and spatial complexity – small shifts in geometry from the orthogonal respond to site conditions, views, and ease of water flow from roof forms. Photo credit: Ema Peter
The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis & Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong by Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.)
The University of Chicago’s new satellite campus in Asia is a hub for global education, celebrating the university’s international and local presence. Inspired by the site’s natural surroundings, steep topography and scattered remnants of military heritage, the building’s form weaves academic program around the challenging terrain, uniting old and new, natural and man-made. Photo credit: Ema Peter
Howard Residence by ABC Architecture Building Culture Inc.
Located in West Vancouver, this 5000 square foot triangular courtyard house is situated at the foot of a granite cliff below a railway line in a densely forested area. The angular nature of the site and long street frontage allowed for the house to spread wide and low. The charcoal coloured shingle siding and darker exterior elements help blend the home seamlessly into the cedar and fir tree backdrop. Photo credit: Andrew Latreille
Temple of Light by Patkau Architects Inc.
The Temple of Light is a spiritual sanctuary in Kootenay Bay, B.C. where a broad community gathers in contemplation and celebration. The space invites visitors to both reflect and be present in the moment. The complex, curvilinear geometry of the project was achieved with relatively modest means and conventional building materials by fabricating sweeping petal-like forms utilizing principally straight engineered timber elements. Photo credit: Daniel Séguin
College of New Caledonia Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility by the Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers Inc.
Located in Prince George, the Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility at the College of New Caledonia offers young people across the region a LEED Gold educational building that responds to the unique demands of Northern British Columbia. Re-interpretation of the local industrial typology and the program’s heavy equipment guides its architectural expression. Photo credit: Andrew Latreille
The Duke by Acton Ostry Architects Inc.
The Duke is a rental residential project targeting LEED certification, designed under the City of Vancouver’s Rental 100: Secured Market Rental Housing Policy. To achieve economic viability as a rental development, living units are pushed to the site perimeter to maximize their number within the height restrictions. The central void creates a soaring open-air atrium circulation space, over which a translucent canopy and south-facing vertical slot flood the courtyard with natural daylight. Photo credit: Michael Elkan
The 2019 AFBC Architectural Awards jury reviewed more than 65 submissions in order to select the award recipients. The acclaimed jury was chaired by Ted Watson Architect AIBC, AAA, OAA, NSAA, International Associate AIA, FRAIC, SCUP, LEED AP. Fellow jury members included Mark Burkart Architect AIBC, AAA, MRAIC; Courtney Healey Architect AIBC; Mahbod Biazi Intern Architect AIBC; Venelin Kokalov; and Ema Peter.
Learn more about the Architectural Awards
Learn more about the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia