Vancouver, BC, Canada
This building is LEED Platinum Certified.
Canada House residential buildings were the home of Team Canada during the 2010 Olympic Games. The complex is divided into two east and west volumes, located on the waterfront of Southeast False Creek. The site is bound by bicycle and pedestrian trails on three sides plus the arterial Athletes Way on the south side.
The distribution of the program into two separate buildings created a large sunny courtyard with a reflecting pool and a light sculpture. The court is the unifying element of the project and serves as access for pedestrians and vehicles.
The sculptural volume of the two buildings is a result of the rotation of the floors from one floor to another. This movement allows for greater sunshine in the garden to the west of the site and reduces shadows on the nearby bike path. The dynamic silhouette of the buildings is enhanced by the coating of glass and stainless-steel fish scales that senses light and creates interesting shadows.
Design Architect: Nick Milkovich Architects
Design Consultant: Arthur Erickson
Production Architect: LDYW Architects
Size: 107,600 sf (west building), 56,000 sf (east building)
Completed: 2009
Nick Milkovich Architects also worked on the sculptural arbor to the east of the building in Triangle Park, designed in collaboration with PWL Partnership. The skeletal nature of the structure is a reference to ship building, with an emphasis on detail representing contemporary metal assembly techniques. The form of the structure mimics the movement of water, while its surface characteristics allow for a shimmer effect similar to that of light off the water’s surface.