2019 Recipients

Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture

Recognizing excellence in built architectural projects completed within the past three years and led by a B.C. registered architect.

Medal Level (2)

Xiqu Centre 

Firm: Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.) and Ronald Lu & Partners Ltd.
Lead Design Team: Bing Thom Architect AIBC, AAA, AIA, C.M., FRAIC, Hon. LL.D. (recognized posthumously); Venelin Kokalov; Shinobu Homma Architect AIBC, AAA, MRAIC

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 and interior plaza for the public to enjoy. The venue features a façade of woven metal panels which gently pull back, like curtains, revealing the vibrant energy of the plaza within.

Polygon Gallery

Firm: Patkau Architects Inc.
Lead Design Architects: John Patkau Architect AIBC, C.M., FRAIC; Patricia Patkau Architect AIBC, C.M., FRAIC; Peter John Suter Architect AIBC, LEED AP

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.

Merit Level (3)

Edgemont Residence

Firm: BattersbyHowat Architects Inc.
Lead Design Architect: Heather J. Howat Architect AIBC, AAA; David C. Battersby Architect AIBC, AAA

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 façade and spatial complexity – small shifts in geometry from the orthogonal respond to site conditions, views, and ease of water flow from roof forms.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis & Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong

Firm: Bing Thom Architects Inc. (now Revery Architecture Inc.)
Lead Design Team:  Bing Thom Architect AIBC, AAA, AIA, C.M., FRAIC, Hon. LL.D. (recognized posthumously); Venelin Kokalov; Shinobu Homma Architect AIBC, AAA, MRAIC

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.

Howard Residence

Firm: ABC Architecture Building Culture Inc.
Lead Design Architect: Mark D. Ritchie Architect AIBC, ANZIA, MRAIC

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.

Innovation Award (1):

This 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

For advancing construction of complex innovative forms through economical means

Firm: Patkau Architects Inc.
Lead Design Architect: John Patkau Architect AIBC, C.M., FRAIC; Patricia Patkau Architect AIBC, C.M., FRAIC

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.

Special Jury Award (2):

A discretionary honour for outstanding achievement.

College of New Caledonia Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility

For elevating the design of an industrial academic facility.

Firm: Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects & Designers Inc.
Lead Design Architect:  Stephen McFarlane Architect AIBC, AAA, LEED AP, FRAIC

Located in Prince George, the College of New Caledonia Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility 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.

The Duke

For incorporating community connections into architectural design.

Firm: 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.