424 replies to this topic

[aastra]

That's interesting. So I'm still not clear what the roof's original colour was? Was it red?

 

Those illustrations suggest that they want to do something good, maybe better than I'd expect on this site (similar to how they're going above and beyond across the street). I'm happy about that. But I'm thinking the seafoam spandrel taints the whole thing. What if those bands were some slick metallic silver or bronze tone? And if the roof of the chapel was made to match?

 

 

 

pics from https://www.archipro...ecu-bronze_1699

 

**********

 

 

pic from https://www.metallin...-business-park/

Edited by aastra, 09 May 2019 - 11:52 AM.

[Nparker]

Something like that Travelodge building would make an interesting replacement for the old Shoppers Drug Mart on Douglas Street, especially if it involved the (vacant?) bank building at Douglas & Yates.

[Mike K.]

Did anyone catch the reception by CoTW? I've been on the road and unable to follow along as much as I would have liked.

[Jackerbie]

Revised plans were submitted back in June. Looks basically the same: https://tender.victo...015110808629471

 

There are a lot of context renderings in the last few submissions which haven't been shared here yet. Here are a couple of them:

 

 

[Nparker]

I still don't really "get" the Johnson Street frontage. Maybe it will look better in real life.

[Jackerbie]

This one is off to a Public Hearing, date to be confirmed

[aastra]

Disappointed that "light green spandrel" is still so prevalent as indicated in that June 4 revision doc.

 

Methinks the spandrel glass issue calls into question the fundamental validity of advisory design panels. In cities far and wide, I mean. How can the same green or grey spandrel be universally acceptable in abundance on all types of buildings in all types of districts in myriad different cities? Why do the review processes in so many places either overlook it or (dare I say it) encourage it?

[Rob Randall]

ADP prevents developers from putting up bland painted concrete cubes. But often they seem to armchair quarterback an architect's design. If the architect's design is lame it can help--we have witnessed projects that have turned out better after ADP had a kick at the can. But sometimes it can be like a movie studio executive micro-managing the work of a great director. 

 

The overall design is quite interesting but when you are drawing inspiration from Di Castri--one of the west coast's most distinguished modernists it's an easy job.

[Nparker]

...The overall design is quite interesting but when you are drawing inspiration from Di Castri--one of the west coast's most distinguished modernists it's an easy job.

You would think then that the ADP would demand the aesthetics on this project be outstanding not average.

[Rob Randall]

I like those "A" things.

[Nparker]

I like those "A" things.

To me they look like "A" is for adobe (and I don't mean the software company).

They just don't seem Mid-Century Modern in inspiration to me.

[aastra]

I've come around to appreciating those unconventional and/or goofy aspects. This project isn't standard-issue. Which is all the more reason to swap out that standard-issue light green spandrel for something else.

[aastra]

Re: this pic from earlier in the thread, how can you not love the clash of styles? That's awesome. I wouldn't have wanted that chapel closer to the heart of downtown, but at Johnson and Vancouver it really worked.

[Rob Randall]

They just don't seem Mid-Century Modern in inspiration to me.

 

You have to remember that DiCastri studied under Bruce Goff who was associated with Frank Lloyd Wright. It's definitely not the sparse, rectilinear style of modernism.

[Nparker]

I think I just really hate those cluster of windows on the second level. Who knows, maybe they will look better in execution than in the renderings. 989 surpassed my expectations.

[shoeflack]

Public hearing for this project has been set for September 19.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Was this approved at the public hearing?  

[shoeflack]

Was this approved at the public hearing?

Easily passed. Even Ben Isitt supported. Lots of praise for the design and for the potential CMHC partnership.

[IPH]

The praise about the potential for a CMHC partnership on this project even mentioned what a success 200 Cook Street was in providing affordable housing.  Makes me think no one on council saw the posts on the 200 Cook Street page about a 3 bedroom at 10% below market being $3850/month!

[Kapten Kapsell]

Fencing is up around the entire site now so I imagine that construction could be underway soon...