Photo by Ezra Stoller / arthurerickson.com

Behind The Plaza

If the architectural team for Robson Square looks young you would be correct! Rich in youthful exuberance and guided by strong design principles, the individuals on this project team all went on to rich and rewarding careers. Although we can’t list the whole team, here are a few of the leading members: 

Meet The Visionaries

“Global architect, Arthur Charles Erickson is a passionate advocate of cultural awareness, and a fervent explorer of human and natural environments. His buildings, though remarkably diverse, share deep respect for the context, incomparable freshness and grace, and the dramatic use of space and light. He has brought to his work an understanding of the community of man that, when filtered through his insightful mind and fertile imagination, gives birth to a singular architecture that is in dialogue with the world.”  

“Erickson’s noteworthy contributions and innovative design work earned him the Gold Medal on the American Institute of Architects in 1986. The highest honour bestowed by the AIA, Erickson was the first Canadian to receive the reward. Prefacing this honour, Erickson received numerous awards and degrees, including gold medals from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1984 and the French Académie d’Architecture in 1986.”

Excerpts taken from https://arthurerickson.com/

Creating a “City Center”

Prior to Robson Square, the three-block precinct contained the Francis Rattenbury designed courtyard from 1912 (now the Vancouver Art Gallery) and two parking lots. This precinct was conceived as the center of civic life where the mechanism of government, the arts and law all shared a common place. The program and resulting architecture provided a center for Robson Street, adding a place of respite on this busy commercial strip. Robson Square remains a central gathering space for the City of Vancouver.    

3 Blocks of Pedestrian Savehaven

The rooftop urban park was foreseen as much needed public space for the growing city. The park in incorporates a block-long rooftop reflecting pool, three waterfalls, a foot bridge, a man-made mountain, a skating rink, and hundreds of trees, shrubs, and ground coverings. Developed amidst low rise buildings, this urban park is now an oasis amongst a sea of towers.

Architecture

The Law Courts building is organized into four major components: public space, courtrooms, judges’ chambers and administrative and support facilities. Major public spaces include the main floor Great Hall and three galleries. All are visually and physically connected. The building accommodates 35 courtrooms including 13 civil, 11 criminal, three appeal, three assize, three motion and two courtrooms designed especially for complex commercial cases.