Showcasing BC & Alberta’s architects and interior designers
spring 2016 Vol. 16 No.4
PM 40063056
d e s i g n q ua rt e r ly
Queensway Transit Exchange Tile + Stone | 2016 WoodWorks! BC Awards | Kitchen + Bath | Architect Arno Matis
Techna Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Designed with affordable luxury in mind, Franke’s Techna sinks are a beautiful union of robust 18 gauge stainless steel and a sleek hand fabricated design. Techna sinks are available in a range of sizes and bowl configurations to offer you a sink that reflects your design style and meets all your culinary needs.
Available now at
Vancouver • Coquitlam • Kamloops • Penticton • Edmonton • Calgary • Saskatoon • Brandon • Winnipeg
www.robinsonlightingandbath.com
in this issue
Features
06
06 Designer Profile
Architect Arno Matis and his firm are creating distinctive designs around Vancouver with an architectural vocabulary and expression that responds to the context and environment.
12 Project Profile
The Queensway Transit Exchange is a striking and vibrant community hub that improves and promotes ridership in downtown Kelowna.
16 Kitchen & Bath
▶ Versatile Kitchen Flooring ▶ Trend Wisely ▶ Technology in Bath Design ▶ Future Kitchen
26 Tile & Stone
▶ Creative Wood Look Tile ▶ Endless Options ▶ Ark of Return
12
32 WELL Standard
▶ Enhancing Health and Wellbeing
Departments 04 From the Editor 34 AAA
Embracing Virtual Reality in Architecture
36 IDA Dealing with Budgets Effectively 38 Design Headlines On the cover: The Queensway Transit Exchange project is a striking new landmark in Kelowna, B.C. Photo: Ed White
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
3
from the editor
Springtime
SPRING 2016 Vol. 16 No.4
www.designquarterly.ca PUBLISHER Dan Gnocato dang@mediaedge.ca Managing Editor Cheryl Mah Graphic Design Tang Creative Inc.
Spring is one of my favourite seasons. We live on a street lined with mature cherry blossom trees and every spring when the trees bloom, it’s a breathtaking sight of soft pinks. The pink canopy draws residents and visitors alike out for photos every year. Photography is another favourite — a hobby I enjoy when I can. Living in Vancouver means there are plenty of opportunities for amazing scenery shots of the mountains and water. Of course I’m also drawn to architecture. One current project that caught my eye was the residential Aperture project on West 41st and Cambie Street. Its distinctive building form is hard to miss. The building was designed by Arno Matis, a local Vancouver architect that focuses on engaging and forward thinking design that integrates architecture, urban planning, and landscape. Each project is carefully examined to ensure a responsive design to each site’s unique context and place. For our feature project, we take a look at a unique project in Kelowna. The Queensway Transit Exchange takes the everyday bus shelter and elevates it into a striking and vibrant landmark in the downtown core. It recently won VIA Architecture a 2016 Wood Works! BC Awards for its innovative use of wood. Also inside this issue are features on tile and stone and kitchen and bath. Experts share insights on versatile kitchen flooring, technology in the bathroom and other trends. Curious about virtual reality as a design tool? Read about VR and how one architectural firm is using it to enhance the design process with clients.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Loren Bergmann Karen Deel Karl Doucas Richard Moreno Ashley O’Neill Chris Salas Christopher Sparrow Sarah Ward B.C./ALBERTA SALES Dan Gnocato 604.549.4521 ext. 223
PUBLISHED BY
PRESIDENT Kevin Brown vancouver office
2221 Hartley Ave. Coquitlam, BC V3K 6W9 Tel: 604.549.4521 Fax: 604.549.4522
Toronto office
1000-5255 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M2N 6P4 Tel: 416.512.8186 Fax: 416.512.8344
Copyright 2016 Canada Post Canadian publications mail sales publication agreement no. 40063056 – ISSN 0834-3357 Return all undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Suite 1000 – 5255 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6P4
PRINTED IN CANADA Design Quarterly is published four times a year by MediaEDGE Communications Inc. Yearly Subscription CANADA 1YR $30* 2YR $50* USA 1YR $55 2YR $100 INT 1 YR $80 2YR $140 *Plus applicable taxes REPRINTS: No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form — print or electronic — without written permission from the publisher. Requests for permission to reprint any portion of this magazine should be sent to the publisher. For all subscription inquiries or changes of address, please contact circulation@mediaedge.ca
PROUD SPONSOR OF
February 15 & 16, 2017
March 21 & 22 2017
November 9 & 10, 2016
Cheryl Mah Managing Editor cherylm@mediaedge.ca 4
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
The purpose of Design Quarterly is to reflect and represent practitioners and professionals in the architectural, interior design and design resource communities throughout British Columbia and Alberta.
L L A R C L I N E A A R P E R B O C C I D A D A E 1 5 F L O S F O S C A R I N I F L O U H E R M A N M I L L E R K A R T E L L K N O L L L I G N E R O S E T M I N O T T I M O LT E N I & C P O LT R O N A F R A U PA E R M O O O I P O LT R O N A F R A U PA O L A L E N T I P O R R O R O D A T E C H N O G Y M L I V I N G D I VA N I M D F I TA L I A D A D A E 1 5 F L O S F O S C A R I N I F L O U H E R M A N M I L L E R K A R
1706 WEST 1ST AVE ARMOURY DISTRICT VANCOUVER 604 683 1116 LIVINGSPACE.COM
DESIGNER PROFILE
West 26th and Cambie Street
responsive
design By Cheryl Mah
6
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
DESIGNER PROFILE
Born and raised in South Vancouver by German immigrant parents, Arno Matis knew at a young age that architecture would be his career path. He had early exposure to the construction business with many relatives involved in the industry, often spending weekends working on construction sites. “I was always curious about the whole process of how a building comes into being,” recalls the 51-year-old Matis. “I was fascinated with the whole idea of how the built environment can really transform your experience and your way of living… so it was something that struck me even when I was young — how important design and architecture can be.” He attended the University of Oregon, attracted by its emphasis on not only architecture but environmental design. For Matis, it helped shape a fundamental understanding of sustainable design. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1993, he went on to earn a graduate degree in Architecture from Harvard in 1995. He did short stints at different firms during his studies, but primarily worked for Bing Thom Architects (BTA) in Vancouver. Matis was with BTA for more than 10 years, eventually becoming a senior director involved in the design and management of numerous award-winning landmark projects including Arena Stage in Washington, Central City in Surrey, and Sunset Community Centre in Vancouver. “Bing was definitely a major influence in my early years,” says Matis, who also has a MBA from Queen’s University. In 2006, he struck out on his own and founded Iconstrux Architecture, before rebranding it to Arno Matis Architecture in 2012. “We started at a time when the market was really hot and picked up some large scale work early on,” he recalls. “We were being hired by other firms to help them to do design and design development because they were so busy.”
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
7
DESIGNER PROFILE
The focus is to create engaging and forward thinking design that integrates architecture, urban planning and landscape.
Aperture (above) King Edward and Cambie Street (left).
8
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
The booming market helped Matis to quickly build a portfolio locally and internationally including projects in Dubai such as the Emirates Financial Towers ( joint-venture with CGP Consultants). When the global recession hit in 2008, the firm turned to custom homes. “In some ways, we did the exact opposite of what new firms usually do, which is to start small and then grow in scale,” says Matis with a laugh. “Today, we work at a variety of scales... from an interior TI at a hair salon to twin tower multi-use projects.” Located in the Waterfall Building by renowned Canadian Architect Arthur Erickson, the boutique firm is a multicultural team of 14 architects, senior interns and students who are all committed to responsive and balanced design solutions. The focus is to create engaging and forward thinking design that integrates architecture, urban planning, and landscape. “As a firm, we’re focused on design and how design can bring together all these different elements, values, experiences and create a connection to nature and to the environment,” says Matis. While the firm is committed to sustainability in a broad context, he believes the importance of design and aesthetic values is being lost in the current emphasis on and pursuit of sustainability. “There is all this emphasis on efficiency and sustainability but at the end of the day it really hasn’t resulted in improvement of our built environment — not yet anyways,” says Matis. “We don’t want to forget that design is important and architecture is important and how things look, feel and function are important while being responsive to the environment, not just by being energy efficient.” Scale, materiality and form are all carefully considered for each project, ensuring a thoughtful response to each site’s unique context and place. Often, the result is a very distinctive building form such as Aperture, a midrise multi-residential project in the city’s transit-oriented Cambie corridor neighbourhood. “It’s about creating an architectural language and expression that fits the context and environment. It rains a lot in Vancouver so with Aperture, we created large overhangs for the elements and to provide quality outdoor space....and they became part of the building’s expression,” says Matis.
EFFICIENT, SLEEK AND CONTEMPORARY
EUROPEAN APPLIANCES Smart appliances by AEG, Liebherr and Porter & Charles feature sleek European design, green manufacturing and über energy efficiency. They marry small footprints with large capacities to maximize any kitchen, laundry room, or wine cellar down to the last square foot. Visit euro-line-appliances.com or a premium appliance retailer to see for yourself!
EURO-LINE APPLIANCES INC. 871 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON L6L 6J7 | 905.829.3980
euro-line-appliances.com
B679
2912 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K 1R2 | 604.235.3980
DESIGNER PROFILE
Currently under construction, the striking aperture-like architectural façade frames also help to break up the massing of the building to better integrate it with the surrounding single family homes. With its use of white concrete, glass and wood, it evokes a strong West Coast identity. Other current projects include West 26th and Cambie, King Edward and Cambie, a twin tower mixed use on Alderbridge in Richmond and a custom home in West Vancouver. “Most of our current work is transit oriented developments,” says Matis, adding the firm also does many rezoning jobs. “It’s a typology that is new to Vancouver so it’s interesting for us because it offers more opportunities for exploration and what this type has to offer to the city.” On the West 26th residential project, inspiration is drawn from the surrounding area and the rock formations of Queen Elizabeth Park. “We used a strong thin wall expression — a very vertical expression for the facade,” says Matis. “We experimented with this kind of element in a house we did in Kerrisdale — projecting thin walls to control light and privacy — and now we’re exploring this idea further with this project.” Exploring ideas, materials and methodologies to create distinctive architecture that is exciting, accessible and relevant have been key to the firm’s success. Matis says the firm also participates in design competitions (not necessarily to win) to explore new ideas — different expression of materials or construction techniques — and apply those ideas possibly into future projects. “We’re constantly learning and trying to get better,” he says. “Projects are getting more sophisticated and more complex so we need good designs and good architects to meet the challenges.”
He adds, “To become a good architect in and of itself is a lifetime commitment. I’m lucky and discovered this profession early on in life and never lost the love for it.” While projects are primarily located in Metro Vancouver, the firm is expecting to open an office in Seattle in 2016 to pursue projects south of the border. “We are very busy. We’re growing and trying to carefully manage that growth. It’s an exciting time for us,” says Matis. “After 10 years, I feel we’re in a way getting started and ready to take on that next level of growth.” But with growth comes challenges. Like most sole proprietors, Matis is finding it increasingly difficult to balance managing a small business and finding time to focus on design. “I’m feeling the pressure to do more of the business and marketing side and as we grow, it’s going to become more of a challenge,” says Matis, who still enjoys doing early concept drawings by hand. Matis also contributes to the city fabric by volunteering his time. He has sat on the Vancouver Urban Design Panel as well as the Planning Commission. He currently sits on the UBC Advisory Urban Design Panel. “I’m excited about the future of the city,” he says. “Our urban planning and urban design has been progressive, but there is room to push the envelope in terms of architecture. Vancouver is on the world stage mainly because of our natural setting. Why can’t Vancouver also be known for its incredible architecture?” The Vancouver native is married and enjoys doing the Grouse Grind regularly, skiing, biking and traveling. DQ
WHERE LIFESTYLE AND SIMPLICITY CONNECT
PLANNING, DESIGN & INSTALLATION BANG & OLUFSEN SMART HOME HOME THEATER AUDIO & VIDEO LIGHTING & SHADING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
q 10
AIBC & IDC ACCREDITED TRAINING AVAILABLE
1565 West 7th Ave, Vancouver 604-669-5525 commercialelectronics.ca
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
East India Carpets D I S T I N C T I V E D E S I G N S S I N C E 19 4 8
1606 West Second Avenue at Fir Armoury District, Vancouver Mon-Sat 10-5:30 604 736 5681 eastindiacarpets.com
PROJECT PROFILE
Community
Placemaking By Cheryl Mah | Photography by Ed White
12
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
PROJECT PROFILE
A new transit bus exchange in Kelowna, B.C. is a visually stunning example of what is possible when it comes to budget constrained public buildings. A bus stop is one of the simplest forms of shelter, but can surprisingly offer opportunities for design innovation. The Queensway Transit Exchange, a transit island housing eight bus stops, serves as an important destination and central transit hub in downtown Kelowna. In need of an upgrade, the project was identified as a placemaking opportunity to create a unique structure that would not only provide a protective shelter but also to encourage ridership and a sense of community. “We wanted to make a significant statement for the transportation district and the City of Kelowna — to clearly identify this as an important hub and encourage community in a safe environment,” says Scott Taylor, project architect at VIA Architecture. The desire for an iconic structure led the architectural team to focus on using wood to achieve a simple but elegant curved roof over the existing transit island. Inspiration for the canopy’s long curvilinear shape was drawn from the surrounding landscape of rolling hills. The final design was optimized for both form and aesthetic. To achieve the design vision, two major glulam beams were used to create a striking 60m long and 9m wide undulating timber canopy supported by steel “Y” columns on a large raft slab foundation. “We wanted the area to have a visually open design. The structure is only supported by a single row of four steel columns,” says Taylor, adding the structure also includes aluminum wind diverters and lattice screens. “It was a tricky composition to get the lattice work right and to account for wind loading and the size of the roof.” Built as an all-weather facility, the transit exchange now covers the centre island of the old bus loop, creating a brighter and inviting space to provide transit users with shelter from the elements. Instead of the eight individual glass and aluminum bus shelters spread around the island, transit users gather in three centralized waiting areas on the island, says Taylor. Seating pods, comprised of wooden curved and linear bench seating and individual basalt stone seating, encourage a feeling of congregation. The use of a very limited palette of materials was not only effective aesthetically, but helped to overcome a tight budget. “A big challenge was the budget which was about $800,000 to cover a large area. We went with a simplified structure, using the two main glulam beams and then applying glu-laminated timbers over the beams for a thin, light roof,” says Taylor. “We wanted a very delicate shape so with the GLT system, the edge profile of the roof is about 9 inches deep.” Using the GLT system for the roof structure and as a finish ceiling also lowered construction costs and shortened the construction time. Other challenges included minimizing vandalism and maintenance (using high performance paints and finishes and anti-graffiti coatings), poor soil conditions and groundwater table.
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
13
PROJECT PROFILE
A lattice screen, together with wind deflectors, provide additional shelter from the elements.
14
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
The Douglas fir glulam beams were fabricated in Penticton by Structurlam and shipped to the site for assembly, says Taylor. Although the tight budget was challenging, Taylor says good design doesn’t require large amounts of money to be spent on a project. “A good design can be simple and elegant and solve many problems all at once.” To increase the feeling of warmth, up-lighting is used within the canopy. “LED lights the underside of the roof which reflects down a warm, inviting glow,” he says. Completed in April 2015, the award winning canopy structure is part of the $5.6 million multi-phase Queensway Transit Improvement project. The final phase involves a security pavilion to be built across the street of the bus loop. It will include washrooms as well as a small commercial space. The innovative use of wood and technical engineering excellence for this project recently earned it a Wood WORKS! BC 2016 Wood Design Award in the Institutional Wood Design, small category. The judges were impressed with the “sheer size and unique shape” of the glulam beams used which “push the limits of possibilities” for mass timber panel construction. “We were really honoured. There were 17 entrants in our category so we were up against stiff competition,” says Taylor. “The City of Kelowna went out on a limb with this project and supported us and fought for our design vision.” He attributes the success of the project to a collaborative team effort, adding VIA Architecture founder Alan Hart provided invaluable input. “We had a great group of people from the city to the structural engineer Fast + Epp that came together to create something unique.” The transit exchange is part of Kelowna’s downtown revitalization efforts, providing an important and prominent landmark as the city transitions from its small town roots. “That area of downtown Kelowna is experiencing a renaissance — new hotel, office towers, parkades — plus revitalization projects along the waterfront,” says Taylor. “The transit exchange is one component of that effort to transform the area.” DQ
D E D O N . G L O S T E R . J AN U S E T C I E . TU U CI . CA N E L IN E . B ROW N JORDAN . KINGSL E Y BATE
D E D O N . G L O S T E R . J AN U S E T C I E . T U U CI . CA N E -L IN E . B ROW N JORDAN . KINGSLE Y BATE
VANCOUVER HAS A NEW HOME FOR OUTDOOR FURNITURE. Our new Showroom is now open at 3rd and Fir.
Outdoor Furniture Showroom: 1880 Fir Street Indoor Furniture Showroom: 1855 Fir Street Armoury District Vancouver 604.736.8822 Monday - Saturday 10 -5:30 pm broughaminteriors.com
kitchen + bath
Versatile Kitchen Flooring Modern floors that work in open concept kitchens
By Karen Deel
Above: TORLYS EverTile luxury vinyl floors, Roxbury Right: TORLYS SuperSolid 7 hardwood, Beach Grove Oak
16
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
Kitchen design has changed so much in the past few years. Today people want open, less formal spaces. Kitchens now perform a multitude of functions, and have become an important part of the whole living area — food preparation, gathering spots for family and friends, homework nooks, and dining. This has created a design challenge. Gone are the days when it was one type of floor for the kitchen and another type for the living spaces. Beautiful open spaces can now be created using one floor only — not only does the one floor concept create a larger look and feel, but today’s floors offer exceptional durability and performance. There are a number of innovative flooring options to choose from that fit perfectly with the new trends in kitchen spaces.
kitchen + bath
The new luxury vinyl floors are definitely worth investigating as part of new kitchen designs. Hardwood — a Beautiful Option Hardwood in an open living space looks seamless and timeless, but water has always been one of the biggest deterrents for installing hardwood in a kitchen. What happens if the dishwasher overflows or the fridge leaks? Some hardwood manufacturers have figured out the solution. Engineered hardwood that floats, that isn’t nailed or glued down, is an excellent choice for kitchens or any open floor plan. If planks get damaged, they can easily be replaced using a specialized tool available at flooring dealers. A good idea is to have the homeowner keep several planks in storage when the floor is installed. That way, if there is ever an issue with major mishaps, the problem can be solved easily. Consider the Comfort of Cork Floors Cork floors are an excellent choice for hard working kitchens because they offer designer styled looks and longer, wider planks that add to its attractive seamless look. Cork flooring harmonizes with virtually any interior wood furniture and cabinet finishes. It complements both modern and traditional styles, fits today’s busy lifestyle and can enhance the look of any space. Here’s another bonus: cork isn’t cold on the feet like ceramic or stone. Cork offers a delightful feel underfoot, always slightly warm to the touch. Every step is cushioned because cork is 50 per cent air. Its composition not only provides comfort, but absorbs sound, making cork a perfect choice for noisy traffic-areas such as kitchens. This floor is also eco-friendly. Made from a corks tree’s bark, not from cut-down trees, cork is harvested from the same tree once every nine years. This time-honoured tradition never destroys the tree, making cork an entirely renewable resource.
Luxury Vinyl Floors offer Comfort and Durability New and innovative technologies have created luxury vinyl floors that offer beauty and brawn for all areas of the home, but work exceptionally well in kitchens. These floors can be waterproof and built tough to withstand the high-traffic demands of today’s busy households. Not only beautiful and durable, these floors are warm and quiet underfoot — a great benefit when so many hours are spent in a busy kitchen. Some of the new luxury vinyl floors offer such incredible wood and stone or ceramic looks, they are hard to resist. These floors are so versatile: they offer durable wear layers, beveled edges, gap resistance and can be waterproof — all excellent features for the kitchen.
Laminate Floors Look Great and Perform When looking for new flooring, it is important to consider the homeowner’s lifestyle and the look that is desired. Many people may want hardwood in the kitchen for its many benefits, but in many cases, this isn’t the best floor for them. Today, laminate technology allows us to create the very best features of a wide, long plank floor but at a fraction of the hardwood price and without harm to the environment. Laminate floors will stay beautiful longer. They are exceptionally dent and scratch resistant so the floor won’t “ugly out” like other floors. Many people start shopping looking for hardwood, but when they see today’s new premium laminates, they are pleasantly surprised. Consider laminate if: the home has pets, such as cats and dogs; it’s an active household with young children; the homeowner loves the look of hardwood and stone, but not the price. DQ Karen Deel is brand manager, TORLYS Inc., a Canadian flooring company specializing in beautiful, responsible flooring. Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
17
kitchen + bath
Trend Wisely Good design is about balance
As design professionals, we have all been asked the ponderous question, ‘What is the latest interior design trend?’ Whether it is interior finishes or products, people want to know what the masses are swooning over. Everyone seems to want to follow a trend, but that’s not what good design is all about. Design is all about balancing the function and aesthetics for the purpose of fulfilling the need of an individual client or project. It is specific to each person and space based on style, budget and lifestyle. 18
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
We tend to pay attention to trends more when designing for re-sale. There is less emotional connection and more assumptions as to who the end user will be. Whether it be a renovation project or a new spec home, a balance must be found between designing a space that hits all the trends, expresses individual personality and fits within the budget. To accomplish this, a designer needs to be innovative. Designing a home for re-sale, for example, does not always lend itself to following the latest design trends due to budget constraints.
Functional gadgets such as a built in coffee maker or an under counter wine fridge can give a kitchen an extra design edge that will stand out from the masses when courting prospective buyers. Many appliances and plumbing fixtures can be controlled right from a smart phone: refrigerators that track the inventory, washers that can remotely operate and toilets that wash and dry while playing some favourite music. However, beware that the added cost of these items may not be the best place to
Trevor Carter
By Chris Salas
kitchen + bath
Using mixed metals and materials in kitchen design is a trend worth incorporating.
spend the budget. Designing challenges can arise quickly, especially a design project that may have polybutylene pipes that need replacing or rotten subfloors that need repair. In our market, a house will typically be on the market longer and sell for less if all the design issues are not dealt with from foundation to final aesthetics. By utilizing some key trends as well as practical products, we guide clients towards great design that is not only current but fits within the budget. Full height wall tiles above kitchen counters with floating shelves deliver a wow factor the buyers will remember, until they move in and try to put dishware, glasses and food items away. Then they realize everything is on display and the reality of a working kitchen does not look as good as a few carefully staged items on a floating shelf. Instead we can add functionality and aesthetics by adding storage cabinets, incorporating trends such as opaque glass doors, upper display niches or offset floating shelves. Our reliance on
technology has created another trend — designing a tech/charging station is a bonus in any family kitchen. This could be as simple as a small counter with an outlet and USB ports to a customized built in desk with charging station — all of which are on trend and functional. Using mixed metals and materials in kitchen design is a trend worth incorporating. We use a variety of materials in one space. We might do white perimeter cabinets with warm wood cabinets on the island. Or a sleek quartz countertop with a rich wood eating bar enhanced by a live edge profile. We often mix the metal selections in a kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, iron black trim on light fixtures and then add the wow with a brushed brass faucet or cabinet hardware. The right combination of materials makes a space look truly custom and does not require a huge budget to do so. In higher end scenarios we see a trend of enhancing home entertainment areas with built in wine rooms and bars. These are areas that exude
luxury and prestige and can be incorporated in many ways. A glassed in wine room under the stairs or a lower level bar stocked with practicality such as a secondary sink, beverage fridge and added storage are easy to bring into the design as long as it is in line with the budget. As design professionals we have to keep in mind the architectural style of the structure and its location when making choices for clients. Concrete floors and sleek minimalistic details may be desired because they are listed as a Top 10 trend, but these details may not be suitable for a classic ranch style bungalow. Designing for the masses doesn’t need to be boring. A well thought out design with attention to some practical trends can give any space or home the boost it needs. DQ Chris Salas is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and principal of Cocina Interior Design. She is also past president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association Prairie Province Chapter. Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
19
Years
o
d
de
in
wo
BC
12
sig n awa r
ds
2016 Wood WORKS! BC Wood Design Award winners Awards evening held on Monday, February 29, 2016 Vancouver Convention Centre (West)
Residential Wood Design
Multi-Unit Residential Wood Design
Environmental Performance
Leland Dadson Architect, Toronto, ON CLT Courtyard House, Vancouver, BC
Dale Staples Integra Architecture Inc., Vancouver, BC The Dominion, New Westminster, BC
Karel & Karen Jonker, Owners, Whistler, BC Matheo Durfeld, BC Passive House, Whistler, BC Alta Lake Passive House, Whistler, BC
Institutional Wood Design: Large
Western Red Cedar
Wood Innovation
Donald Schmitt, Diamond Schmitt Architects Toronto, ON Thompson Rivers University, Old Main Addition Faculty of Law School, represented by: Matt Milovick, Kamloops, BC Thompson Rivers University, Old Main Academic Building Addition, Kamloops, BC
James Tuer, JWT Architecture and Planning Bowen Island, BC Buddhist International Society Retreat, Bowen Island, BC
Stephen Teeple, Teeple Architects Inc., Toronto, ON Brian Bengert, Architecture Tkalcic Bengert, Edmonton, AB Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, Wembley, AB
Event Sponsors
Trophy Sponsor
Jury Sponsor Speaker Sponsor
Sponsors
12 years of Wood Design Awards in BC were celebrated by more than 360 distinguished design and building professionals, including architects, structural engineers, project teams, local governments, industry sponsors and guests. The annual awards evening recognizes leadership and innovation in wood use while being an opportunity to publicly salute and encourage continued excellence in the building and design community. This year there were 103 nominations in 13 categories from all over BC as well as some international and national nominees. Wood WORKS! is a national industry-led program of the Canadian Wood Council, with a goal to support innovation and provide leadership on the use of wood products and systems. Wood WORKS! BC provides education, training and technical expertise to building and design professionals throughout BC.
Special Recognition Award presented to UBC, represented by Dr. John Innes (L) by Hon. Steve Thomson, Min. of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Commercial Wood Design
Interior Beauty Design
Institutional Wood Design: Small
Peter Johannknecht, Cascadia Architects, Victoria, BC Greg Damant, Cascadia Architects, Victoria, BC Cordova Bay Physiotherapy Clinic, Saanich, BC
Noel Best, Stantec Architecture Ltd., Vancouver, BC Canada House, London, England
Graham McGarva, VIA Architecture, Vancouver, BC Scott Taylor, VIA Architecture, Vancouver, BC Queensway Transit Exchange, Kelowna, BC
International Wood Design
Engineer
Wood Champion
Architect
NEW CATEGORY
Gerald Epp, StructureCraft Builders, Delta, BC Tsingtao Pearl Visitor Centre, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
Thomas Leung Thomas Leung Structural Engineering Inc., Vancouver, BC
Patrick Cotter ZGF Cotter Architects Inc., Vancouver, BC
www.wood-works.ca
Andrew Harmsworth GHL Consultants Ltd., Vancouver, BC
@WoodWORKSBC_CWC
kitchen + bath
Technology in Bath Design How technology is creating the best bath experience possible
Above: ThermaSol Serenity Light Sound Rain Head. Right: KOHLER toilet seats with Nightlight
22
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
It’s the little things that help create the dream bathroom. A helpful light here, an electrical outlet or USB port there. Or how about an app that ensures the steam shower is ready when we want to use it? These touches of technology help transform the bath into a convenient space that’s just as “plugged in” as the rest of a smart home. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways companies are bringing trending technologies to the forefront of bath design. Lighting is of the utmost importance in the bathroom. The right illumination is essential for shedding light on morning routines or beauty prep procedures, particularly as we age.
Stepping in with innovative lighting for the bath is Ronbow, a manufacturer of luxury bathroom furnishings. Ronbow beautifully illuminates with LED-lit drawers, cabinets and mirrors, making the bathroom brighter and things easier to find without excessive electricity use. Their new Signature Series continues to set the technological bar with globally trendsetting products designed by the world’s premier designers and artists. The series includes smart innovations such as touch-sensitive LED mirrors, USB ports and electrical outlets incorporated into the product and even mirror cabinets integrated with
Bluetooth technology and speakers. These small conveniences ultimately add up to big advantages in the bath. No one wants to interrupt a late night trip to the bathroom by flipping on a harsh overhead light. But how else can we reach our destination safely and comfortably when nature calls? Providing a helpful guiding light for where we need it most, KOHLER toilet seats with Nightlight have an LED light in the seat’s hinge, projecting a gentle glow onto the toilet’s tank. When the lid is lifted, the light illuminates the bowl for improved sight in the dark. As flatscreens, iPhone screens and countless other screens have weaved
kitchen + bath
...the bathroom is transforming into a highly functional and technological destination.
their way into our lives, they’ve yet to cross the final frontier: the bath. While the threat of water damage to electronics was once a reasonable concern, Séura has made it so that the TV is no longer banished from the bathroom. Designed to completely seal out water, Séura’s Indoor Waterproof TV is integrated into the vanity mirror allowing us to watch the traffic report in the morning or catch up on favourite shows while enjoying a bath or shower. Plus, the TV screen acts as a defogger, so nothing will cloud while sitting back and relaxing. Another screen adding a new level of convenience to the bath is
ThermaSol, a steam shower manufacturer with a 55-year history of technological innovation. ThermaSol has added a much needed update to the smart bath of 2016 with steam shower technology to transform the shower into a personal luxury home spa retreat. Their new ThermaTouch7-inch built-in LCD touchscreen controller codifies ThermaSol’s steam shower technology in one stateof-the-art device. In addition to controlling basic steam shower features such as steam temperature and duration, users can control Tranquility, a new visualization and sound effect experience used
in conjunction with the Serenity Light, Sound, Rain Head module. Serenity is designed for all-in-one relaxation, producing high-intensity full spectrum light and high fidelity sound, with a calming rain effect. Built-in Bluetooth compatibility, audio settings, stereo output and an Ethernet connection are also integrated into ThermaTouch, as powered by Android technology. These are just a few of the ways technology is catching up with the bath space. No longer content to be utilitarian, the bathroom is transforming into a highly functional and technological — yet relaxing— destination. Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
23
kitchen + bath
future kitchen All appliances are integrated within a house information system to provide sustainable and user friendly kitchen environment.
Virginia Tech FutureHAUS Kitchen
8
9 10 2 11
1 13
4 3 5
12
6
7
1. Induction Cooktop integrated universal work surface flexible placement of pots and pans automatic downdraft activation food temperature monitoring
5. social table multimedia interactive display social activities and networking home economics and house management
2. virtual window multi-media interactive display for kitchen and house activities
6. microwave UPC reader for auto settings audio-sensor for the perfect popcorn food-temperature monitoring
3. diswasher auto detergent dispenser full-empty detection
7. trash bin cabinet hands free open/close auto- full detection
4. faucet hands free operation for temperature and flow control
8. integrated led lighting motion activated, custom color, and region control
24
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
9. coffee maker refrigerated milk dispenser auto-preheat based user activity 10. dishwasher sensor and UPC reader for inventory hands free operation 11. refrigerator sensor for inventory basic ingredients auto-open/close doors ethylene-detection in produce drawers for freshness monitoring 12. countertop surfaces durable and anti-microbial glass
13. convection oven video monitoring of cooking wireless probes for food — temperature and moisture measurements alerts — created when food is prepared
Abbotsford Senior Secondary: “A school to be proud of” Known to locals as “Abby Senior,” the new Abbotsford Senior Secondary School incorporates technology suggested by BC Hydro that has helped make it 33% more energy efficient than it might otherwise have been. The old Abby Senior dated from 1952 and was “deteriorating rapidly,” says Bob Mainman, Assistant Director of Facilities for School District No. 34 (Abbotsford). “It turned out that it was more economical to retain a few of the newer sections, two gyms and some classrooms, and build the rest new – and better. We had the opportunity to make the new school a school to be proud of, that the students would really like to come to every morning.” School District 34 also wanted the new Abby Secondary to be a model of how to build responsibly, sustainably and energy efficiently, even on a limited budget. With the help of an energy-modeling study funded by BC Hydro’s New Construction Program, the District was able “to ask all of the ‘what if” questions: what if we turn the building this way, what if we add triple glazing, what if we go to three storeys instead of two,” says Rick Walker, in charge of energy management for the District. The result is a building situated east-west to capture the most light and heat, with a stunning, three-storey, cast-inplace concrete, steel, glass and wood rotunda that provides natural “stack effect” ventilation. It also features increased roof and wall insulation, a heat recovery ventilator, and a wind and solar powered computer lab (if it’s cloudy or calm, students pedal stationary bikes to generate electricity). The building’s advanced, energy-efficient lighting systems – designed by Abbotsford’s Jarvis Engineering Consultant’s Ltd. – account for 33 per cent of the school’s total electrical energy savings, but perhaps the most innovative energy conservation measure of all is an open loop ground source heat pump system that uses well water for year-round heating and cooling. Making the new Abby Senior even more special: it was designed by Ryan Huston of Chilliwack’s Craven Huston Powers Architects. Huston graduated from Abby Senior in 1975. 37 years later, he returned to design a beautiful new, sustainable school for generations to come.
Looking for new ways to build better? Visit bchydro.com/construction or call 1 866 522 4713 to learn more.
A15-104c
B16-026e
tile + stone
New Wood Look Frontiers
Tile resembling wood continues to diversify in its variety, with many manufacturers leveraging new innovations to produce tile that not only looks, but also feels like wood with dimension, textured knots, distress marks, and details typical of hand-scraped woods. DQ Left: ABK Group’s Dolphin collection of wood-look porcelain panels is not only stunning for their aesthetics, but also for their exclusive new auto-leveling installation technology that essentially eliminates the need for leveling spacers, joints and glue. Above: Daltile Yorkwood Manor’s glazed porcelain recreates the authentic look of reclaimed wood with deliberate cracked paint and water stain detailing thanks to imaging technology.
26
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
NEW YEAR ‌NEW LOOK
Endorsed by the leading design and architectural associations, Design Quarterly is the publication of choice by advertisers who want to connect with the decision makers in the multi-billion dollar B.C. and Alberta design marketplace. To advertise your products, services and expertise or for more information on customizing an advertising program, please contact: Dan Gnocato | 604.549.4521, ext. 223 | dang@mediaedge.ca
tile + stone
Endless Options A look at the many trends in the tile and stone industry By Richard Moreno
Trends in the tile and stone industry are continuously evolving, offering designers, architects and the public more and more selections to decorate spaces and to express their creative individuality. With the introduction of hightech laser water jets to cut the stone and glass, it has made it possible to expand the intricate mosaic detail and now make it available to everyone. The beautiful fabric patterns of the past can now be duplicated using natural stones and glass of all colours. The trend towards more detailed mosaics is only limited by our imagination. At times it can be a small feature area, or it can easily be expanded to incorporate an entire bathroom, kitchen backsplash, floor areas and decorative walls. We have seen in the past an emphasis on cabinets, countertops, fixtures and appliances while ignoring or giving less importance to the backsplash. This, however, has been changing as we are now seeing a lot more emphasis on the backsplash as designers and clients are reaching out for the huge selection of beautiful tiles and mosaics available. The backsplash in a kitchen should and is demanding more than the standard subway tile. The functional and traditional subway tile can be elevated by incorporating more design. The trend to introduce mosaic features alongside the standard sizes has brought more individuality to a completed job and has moved away from the standard repetitive design. More time is needed with the designer or the showrooms who can offer creative tile design. The mixing 28
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
tile + stone
Geometric patterns continue to be popular
of materials has always existed, but now we are incorporating extensive patterns and designs in mosaics that a few years ago were not possible. Many of today’s designers can struggle with the vast availability of products and design options, therefore it is important to reference these showrooms whom are involved with the new tile trends. The trends for geometric patterns are now much more prevalent and are continuously being introduced in tile, stone and glass, and with almost any colour choice, again used for backsplashes, fireplaces, floors, feature walls and even countertops. A timeless black and white combination will always make a bold statement. Now we are seeing the combination of more than two colours as the demand for more pattern and colours grow. Dramatic and bolder colours are also a big emerging trend. Our bolder water colours and marble mosaics are beginning to outpace the softer and more conservative look. The intricate patterns and multicolours are back. We are also seeing the revival of cement tiles (www.toorakbistro.ca)
with more updated and modern patterns and colours. These tiles are being used predominantly for floors, as the trend for patterns expands. Porcelain tiles have also evolved very quickly from the traditional squares and rectangles; we are now seeing hexagons, extensive planks and much larger sizes and patterns. We still have the standard sizes, but porcelains today have with the new manufacturing techniques taken a lot of the market share away from natural stone. When in the past a porcelain tile was easily identified, they are now imitating the stone so well that it’s becoming hard to tell them apart. We are also seeing coloured patterns in porcelain starting to gain momentum. 3D textures are also now well established and growing in all materials including porcelain. These are seen on feature walls, fireplaces, bathrooms, restaurants and retail spaces. The trend for handmade tiles is always in demand as their variation represents a timeless style offering a huge selection of colours and textures. The choice is there for all. Most of the handmade quality tiles are made in
the U.S.A who offer consistent quality. The revival of handmade ‘custom’ tile studios in the States has skyrocketed since the early 90s. We always recommend clients and designers visit the tile showrooms that specialize only in tile and tile design, as they have the most up-to-date products and are the most experienced and knowledgeable. A help yourself store will not offer the huge selection and variety of choices nor the knowledge or trend setting products needed to create a wonderful space. We can only expect more and more patterns to surface in the future. Intricate medieval patterns as well as computer generated designs are being introduced into the tile industry every day and we can only relish such art entering homes. DQ Richard Moreno is owner of Toorak Tile & Design in Vancouver. With an extensive collection of handmade tiles, natural stone, marble mosaics, glass tile, terracotta and porcelains from all over the world, they deal with exclusive custom factories that produce their mosaics and handmade tile. www.tooraktile.ca Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
29
tile + stone
Ark of Return An innovative and non-traditional approach to stone engineering By Karl Doucas
The first permanent memorial at the UN Headquarters in New York City is a good example of a stone project and the complexities and challenges that it entails. Stone is a material often used to denote magnificence and beauty. Its longevity is unquestionable but it does require careful execution — aside from the obvious choice of colour, other considerations include material appropriateness or durability (climate for example), logistics, construction techniques, etc. As the very first permanent memorial erected at the United Nations, there was really only one logical material choice for the architect, Rodney Leon. The Memorial was established on the entrance plaza north of the General Assembly Building in March 2015. Its purpose was to serve as a permanent object and space of reflection providing visitors the opportunity to acknowledge and consider the impact of slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Leon’s project entailed 550 cubic feet of natural stone, with individual slabs spanning 128” x 78” and thicknesses from 2” to 9”. The Ark of Return was constructed to reflect the image of a vessel in acknowledgement of the millions of African people transported on slave ships to different parts of the world. Its stone construction was certainly a tremendous challenge. Olympic White Danby Marble was chosen for the elevations and Mountain White and Crystal Stratus Marble were used for the floors. White Danby was also used to sculpt the white robe of a human scale figure within the walls of the Ark itself. The figure was hand-sculpted from Zimbabwe Absolute Black Granite by master carvers from Carrara, Italy. The particular stone was chosen in its honed finish because it provided a graceful veining conveying a cloud-like pattern. From an engineering standpoint, the Memorial represented numerous complexities and challenges. For example, the geometry involved a triangular stainless steel frame clad in triangular marble panels. The level of precision and coordination required to fabricate and install demanded careful integration with all the stakeholders involved. PICCO Engineering was the stone consultant and worked very closely with Precision Stone, the fabricator and installer as well as Kotronis Consulting, specializing in Catia detailing. Our contributions involved analysis and recommendations specific to the structural requirements for stone bearing support and attachment. The complex shape of the project required an innovative and non-traditional approach to stone engineering. BIM visualization tools, significant 30
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
collaboration with the steel fabricator, and geometric analysis to understand and conceptualize an efficient stone installation were critical. Moreover, since the stone panels were large and varied in shape, special attention for lifting of stone, erection sequence and positioning of the anchors also had to be considered. The coordination of the structural steel frame was done in collaboration with the fabricator. The steel framing members behind the stone required precise alignment with stone jointing. Both welded and screwed connection plates were to align with stone joints and steel framing tubes precisely. The engineering calculations were influenced by slab dimensions, weight, positioning, in conjunction with the steel frame. It was no easy feat to adequately assess the final structural requirements of the entire system itself. Compounding the technical challenges were the schedule’s urgency and weather conditions as well. The start-to-finish deliverable schedule for structural design, engineering of stone, all detailing, stone fabrication and installation was 45 days during the heart of a New York winter. In order to accomplish the feat, BIM software was an integral part and invaluable tool for the successful execution. Various software including Catia, Inventor, AutoCAD and Revit were used in combination by the project team. BIM allowed all stakeholders to seamlessly coordinate their independent design efforts into one cohesive and comprehensive 3D parametric model. The model was the fundamental deliverable that was used to export and generate all fabricated materials including the steel frame, stone panels, and stainless steel connections. BIM allowed the team to view the complex shape easily and manipulate sections and elevations for streamlined solving of design challenges. It proved to be an efficient conduit for team reviews through GO-To Meetings and approvals, while effectively helping to identify concerns and discrepancies. The Ark of Return is a good example of a successful stone project. Choosing the stone is one consideration. Assembling the right team to execute the project is another important one. DQ Karl Doucas is associate & senior project manager at Picco Engineering where he oversees all aspects of project management. He is also a key contributor to branding & marketing, operations, HR, and strategic planning. Karl contributes regularly as a member of the Architectural Advisory Board at Humber College.
tile + stone
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
31
well standard
Enhancing Health and Wellbeing Can work and wellness go hand in hand? By Loren Bergmann and Ashley O’Neill
With average workers spending 90 per cent of their time indoors, and over half of waking hours in the office, it’s not always easy to stay fit and healthy. However, there is a growing movement within the commercial real estate industry that believes work and wellness can go hand in hand. If you’re reading that last sentence hunched at your desk late at night, eating chips from a vending machine and sitting under the glare of strip lighting, you’re probably thinking it sounds far-fetched. However, the WELL Building Standard, which is the first building standard to focus on enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people that occupy a building, aims to bring work and wellness firmly together.
32
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
This new certification has not been designed as a replacement for green certifications such as LEED, in fact, think of WELL as starting where LEED finishes off. LEED primarily takes care of a building’s impact on the environment, whereas WELL is entirely focused on the building’s impact on the worker. So where LEED certification looks at reducing water usage through aerated faucets, WELL tries to encourage increased consumption of water by employees to improve hydration. As with any new certification, there is always trepidation to be a first mover and many industry participants will understandably want to take a ‘wait and see’ approach. However, our decision to pursue Canada’s first WELL Tenant certification at our new CRBRE Vancouver office reflects
well standard
...by incorporating WELL features into the workplace, it sends a message that the company values...health and is prepared to invest to improve it.
our belief that employee health and wellness is becoming ever more critical to leading organizations. Moreover, given that we all spend a substantial amount of time at the office, it’s a place where employers can have a real impact on employee health. For most organizations, its people are its biggest asset and, by incorporating WELL features into the workplace, it sends a message that the company values their health and is prepared to invest to improve it. WELL elements Grounded in a body of medical research, WELL is defined as “a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.” While this list of attributes may well sound a tad earnest, the improvements they bring have real-world and measurable impacts on employees. If we look at air, light and comfort, these elements of WELL dovetail very closely with the top three features that countless studies report that employees would change about their workplace to improve overall well-being and satisfaction at work. Namely: internal air quality, temperature control and natural light. An area of enormous importance for day to day comfort, IAQ can play a role in promoting productivity but can also help to reduce incidents of respiratory illness in employees and related absenteeism. Pollutants in an office’s air can cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma, thus making proper ventilation critical. Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recorded a 35 per cent decrease in short term employee absence when internal ventilation rates were doubled at a test office.
CBRE Office Light, and electric light in particular, can have a very meaningful impact on a person’s sleep-wake cycle and their natural circadian rhythm. As a result, at the Vancouver office, no one is more than 25 feet from natural sunlight or views. A study by Northwestern University in Chicago revealed that office workers who have a greater exposure to circadian-relevant lighting, which WELL certification ensures, are more alert, active, have longer and less interrupted sleep and report markedly better results in quality of life assessments. A small but key WELL design element in the Vancouver office is the living trees and moss that have been planted throughout the space. By incorporating biophilic design, it counters the effect on mental health that spending time in lifeless settings can have due to man’s innate need to be around nature. To encourage improved fitness, 100 per cent of the workstations are sitstand desks. Staff routinely comment on how this has been ‘revolutionary’ for them through reducing incidents of back pain and has helped them improve on a previously sedentary working habits. It’s important to remember that when LEED was first introduced in 2001, it was viewed with a great deal of scepticism. Fast forward 15 years and it’s now an expectation, and even a baseline, for many tenants. We’re confident that when we look back 15 years from now, we’ll find it almost bizarre that we used to design spaces without first considering the impact on the people that work in them. Our decision to pursue WELL certification stems from our belief that the way we work needs to add to our health, not diminish it. The bottom line is that the spaces we create matter to the well-being of all people who use them and it’s increasingly incumbent on the occupier, developer, interior designer, architect and investor to provide an environment that materially improves this condition. DQ Loren Bergmann, R.I.D., LEED AP ID+C, joined CBRE in 2014 to lead Workplace Strategies in Western Canada. Ashley O’Neill is vice president, corporate strategy at CBRE. She is coordinating the transformation of CBRE’s offices across the country as part of a strategic, multi-year project.
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
33
AAA
Embracing Virtual Reality in Architecture By Christopher Sparrow
Since the inception of architecture as a profession, designers have relied on abstract representations of the final product as a means of communicating to patrons that the proposed design will satisfy their functional and aesthetic goals. Traditionally this has been achieved through the use of two-dimensional drawings (plan, elevation, section, and parallel projection), artistic impressions (ink, pencil, watercolour, etc.) and physical models (study and presentation). More recently with the advent of CAD and 3D modeling programs, renderings and flythrough animations have emerged to tell the story in more effective and photo-realistic ways. The issue with these media is (despite the fact that content is created within a digital, 3D environment) it is still presented to audiences in 2D format. Virtual reality (VR) is now positioned to dramatically change this by placing the user into the project, allowing them to experience it in an immersive manner. VR certainly isn’t anything new. Many will remember when VR exploded into the mainstream in the early 1990s, only to die nearly as quickly as it appeared. Plagued by inefficient spatial requirements, believability, and cost, VR, while a captivating idea, was quickly dismissed by consumers. The recent explosion of technology dedicated to the smartphone race is rapidly reshaping the world of VR. The technology to consume content now lives in everyone’s hands. From early 2015 to today, VR has evolved from patchy, slow-running applications and over-priced, clunky development kits to compact, easy-to-use spherical cameras, cost-effective wireless headsets, free downloadable media and software that allow users to view and generate content, and the promise of continued evolution in peripherals as video game developers get on board. The re-emergence of VR is poised to impact architecture in a number of ways. Firstly, it has fundamentally challenged, and will continue to do so, the perception of space and the idea of architecture; however, this is a conversation best left to academics. Secondly, VR has already begun to directly address the core issue of representation. We are now able to provide, to stakeholders and the public, immersive access to their project before it is built. VR images, videos and traversable environments are now liquid, easily passed from architect to user and easily explored and enjoyed by stakeholders. Forthcoming technologies like haptic feedback and the ability to insert annotations into the space will allow users to perceive wall boundaries by touch and access supplementary information from within the VR environment.
34
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
Lastly, we see VR dramatically reinventing the design process itself. Imagine if you and a user could both stand inside a 3D model and reshape spaces on the fly! Don’t like the shape or size of a room? Want improved access to daylight? Make these changes in real time. A previously unimaginable measure of control of 3D space will soon be at hand. At Riddell Kurczaba Architecture & RK Visualization, we have eagerly embraced VR technology, having worked and created immersive content for our clients now for nearly a year. To create still images, our 3D team outputs a 2D rendering for each eye via a 6x1 cube map; the technology in modern smartphones can automatically stitch these images together into an image sphere. This allows patrons to experience the space, via a portable headset, from a predefined location within the space simply by moving their head in any direction. Along with high-quality stills, we are also developing VR animations where the camera sweeps a user along a prescribed path where there is freedom for the viewer to look anywhere they want as they move along. This has been particularly successful with interior and exterior scenes as the animation simulates the experience of driving by a proposed building, or walking through an intended floorplan. Our approach to VR as a design tool is slightly different. During schematic design and design development, we output monochromatic occlusion renderings in the aforementioned 6x1 cube format. We make use of generic 3D objects in our scenes and we ensure that as many as possible significant elements such as ceilings, doors, windows, floors, and lights are included in each scene. This is shared with users and users groups to give them an immersive “sense” of the space minus the polish and texture of photo-real output. These environments are intended to communicate the scale and aspect of the space along with the orientation and organization of the objects within it. The experience is great for clients as it allows them to contribute to the design with absolute confidence. It is important to note that we are still in the “early days” of the evolution of this technology, however, if the level of development that has occurred over the last couple of years is any indication of the improvements we can expect to see in the future, then there is a great deal about VR for architects and users to get excited about. DQ Christopher Sparrow is currently an intern architect and associate / designer at Riddell Kurczaba Architecture in Calgary, Alberta.
AAA
VR images, videos and traversable environments are now liquid, easily passed from architect to user and easily explored and enjoyed by stakeholders.
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
35
ida
Dealing with Budgets Effectively Project success relies on careful management of costs By Sarah Ward
36
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
ida
...clearly setting expectations from the outset is the best way to prevent budget issues at the end of a project It seems that no matter how long you have been in the business of design, dealing with budgets is always a challenge. Balancing the expectations of a client, their needs and wants, site conditions, and the many other influences that can cause the bottom line to fluctuate keeps every designer on their toes. Learning to effectively deal with and manage a project’s financial status is crucial to any successful project delivery, and to secure ever-important client references at the end of a job. Firstly, clearly setting expectations from the outset is the best way to prevent budget issues at the end of a project. Clients with a picture of a $100k kitchen in their head, but a $50k budget are simply not going to be satisfied. Talking about the numbers early and often is a key part of ensuring the budget stays on track during a job. Sometimes a client’s overall budget will include expenses beyond the scope that interior design is concerned with, so it’s important to assess which specific scope of work the client is comprising when they discuss a specific budget number. At the very least, it’s important to outline what the numbers are for construction, furnishings, and consultant fees and to explain to the client why they should be identified as separate line items. It can also be useful to explain to a client how the final number for a construction project is calculated. Create a general guideline that outlines the way a budget is assembled. A visual, like a graphic chart for instance, can be a very useful tool in showing clients how the relationships between the various components, like M&E, millwork or finishing, can impact the bottom line. Ensure the client has a contingency in place, as every project has unforeseen expenses that arise.
It can also be helpful to understand how the project is being funded. Is it self-funded, or are investors present? Is the bank involved, and to what extent? While these questions can be probing for people, even a vague understanding of the cash flow can help the designer in understanding what type of client they are dealing with and how the budget conversations may evolve over time. For instance, small businesses who are funding projects with their own money and a bank loan will have much less flexibility that a client with a large investor pool. At all times, the client should feel that they are the one who is empowered to make the financial decisions for the project. Let them decide which items are splurge-worthy and where they are willing to save some costs. During design meetings, have optional selections present and advise when items may be higher than the budget will allow. Having alternates on hand can help demonstrate to a client the aesthetic value of a product for themselves and make them feel more comfortable with their choices. It also ensures that they feel like a collaborator and part of the design process. Every client has a budget, whether big or small, and ensuring that you are responsible to that number is important in developing a trustworthy relationship. Maintaining budget is an important factor when clients evaluate a project’s success. Maintaining an open conversation around this matter, and ensuring that all financial decisions are made as a team will deliver an outcome that is agreeable to everyone. DQ Sarah Ward is the principal of Sarah Ward Interiors, an award winning interior design studio based in Calgary, Alberta specializing in creating iconic public gathering spaces for clients in the hospitality sector.
Spring 2016 | DESIGN QUARTERLY
37
design headlines
New Canadian Landscape Standard The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects have released the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS) First Edition. Based on the highly successful British Columbia Landscape Standard, the CLS is a single, authoritative resource for landscape construction projects across Canada. For the first time, there is a national guideline to set the standard of landscape work in every province across the country. Volunteers in every province reviewed the CLS to ensure that it is user-friendly and represents conditions of landscape work in all climatic and geographic regions, making the CLS relevant and applicable to all regions of Canada and available in both official languages. The national CLS Steering Committee will remain in place to develop new sections and continually revise and update the document to ensure its accuracy and relevance. The CLS was designed for use by anyone who specifies scopes or bids on landscape work, including landscape architects, landscape designers, landscape contractors, grounds maintenance contractors and government procurement parks departments at all levels. As a benchmark standard for the landscape horticulture industry, the CLS will be an indispensable tool to the success of any landscape project that is designed, built and maintained to this nationally-recognized standard. To obtain a copy of the new Canadian Landscape Standard, please visit the CLS web page: www. csla-aapc.ca/standard
Design team selected Providence Health Care has selected the design team for the new St. Paul’s Hospital and integrated health campus on Station Street in Vancouver. Perkins+Will in association with Sterling Planning Alliance and Farrow will undertake a key step in the development of a business plan for the project. The design team will develop a functional program, concepts and indicative design for the project. The complex and detailed process determines the space, designs, size and types of facilities required to house the future care programs and services. “In 2006 Perkins+Will, in association with Farrow, conducted the master plan and initial concept design for a new hospital and health campus. Today we couldn’t be more pleased to build on this legacy with Providence and Sterling Planning Alliance to deliver a transformative plan — one that is focused on patient-centred care and furthers Providence’s position as an innovative and forward-thinking provider,” says Terry Smith, director of healthcare at Perkins+Will. Currently, the St. Paul’s redevelopment project is in the clinical planning stage, which involves gathering input from patients, community stakeholders, St. Paul’s staff, physicians and researchers, Ministry of Health and other health authorities and academic partners to determine what services St. Paul’s patients require, in what settings and by which providers. The next stage involves the design team developing conceptual facility, space and building design requirements to fit the care programs and services for the new St. Paul’s health campus, as identified in the clinical planning process. “The potential for the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus to positively influence the health, happiness and prosperity of British Columbians is enormous,” says Tye Farrow, senior partner at Farrow. “We are excited to continue our work to advance the project’s potential to the next level.” The new St. Paul’s and integrated health campus will be one of the largest and most ambitious health care projects in British Columbia.
AIBC AWARDS CORRECTION In DQ Winter 2016, the wrong project photo was used for the Wood Innovation and Design Centre under AIBC Innovation Awards. Our apologies to the winners. The two winners and photos are correctly shown here. BC Passive House Factory by Hemsworth Architecture Wood Innovation and Design Centre by MGA | Michael Green Architecture
38
DESIGN QUARTERLY | Spring 2016
BC Passive House Factory
Wood Innovation and Design Centre
WESTERN CANADA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF HAND-KNOTTED AREA RUGS Elevate any residential or commercial design project with a rug from Colin Campbell. Visit one of our showrooms to view our designer area rug collections and extensive range of broadloom carpets. VANCOUVER 494 RAILWAy ST 604.734.2758
CALGARy 5832 BURBANK ROAD SE 403.245.9222
www.colin-campbell.ca
WALLCOVERING IN PHOTO
Harlowe from Len-Tex Wallcoverings