Robson Square Renovations

[nova9]

does the temporary cover in any way mimic the location/position and arc of the now-dead clamshell proposal?

[EdinVan]

Actually, they look to be almost finished.

I passed by tonight and they removed most of the scaffolding - although the waterfall is still covered with tarps. Peeking through, it seemed that they were finished - although not all that different from what they used to be.

Thanks for the update. I think I've grown so used to seeing everything covered that I barely pay attention anymore when I walk by. If those things are ever removed, I'll do a cartwheel.

[djh]

I forgot to mention. Last night I was in Robson Square and they were building a snow slide down the stairs and up to the ice rink (well, say 10m from it)!!! I had no idea where they were getting the snow from, but we stood there and watched a crew shovelling snow - pretty deep, enough that you could snowboard down it - onto the slope.

I reckon with the amount of snow they were shovelling that it wouldn't melt for a long long time, but still, they're gonna have to keep topping that up because geez, it's a bit warm for winter sports, isn't it? I hear there's no snow on Cypress...

[Locked In]

^ There was a boarding competition going on when I was over there tonight. My photo:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/S0gzjCVK_vI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rhCk7pw8xXA/s800/IMG_0973.JPG

[Yume-sama]

That's cool.

And there is no snow on Cypress. Other than the 6.5 feet of it that's there.
http://cypressmountain.com/index.asp

[raggedy13]

The latest goings-on at Robson Square (my pics from Saturday)...

Skating rink ridiculously popular...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4284261032_7e2067959c_b.jpg

Some jazz here (for temporary lighting / sound system?)...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4284271968_90c1c32cc2_b.jpg

Some creatively placed BC advertising. They're really trying to use up all available advertising space it seems.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4284267734_02ae7fa5c2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4284270868_33c8992f8c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4283531073_34ed24ee33_b.jpg

Hadn't noticed when these benches got installed. Great idea though...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4284273644_186292006d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4283534211_99ba959238_b.jpg

[Yume-sama]

Wonderful to see it so amazingly busy.

[SpongeG]

its always quite busy even when the ice rink was shut down - salsa lessons, i-pod dancing flashmob - the old ice rink was popular too

[trofirhen]

Now that the dislike and disappointment in Robson Square are abating somewhat, especially with the new blue-lit domes and rink, etc, plus the activities that are happening there again . . . . . . could we not consider an underground connection to Pacific Centre Centre and/or Canada Line?

Yes, I know this issue has been raised before, but I still think it would add a cohesiveness to downtown, despite what the naysayers claim.

We're not talking Underground City here, we're just talking connection

[Zassk]

Isn't the Sears underground parkade a major impediment to such a connection? My impression is that such a connection could only be routed under the roads going around the perimeter of Sears.

[trofirhen]

Isn't the Sears underground parkade a major impediment to such a connection? My impression is that such a connection could only be routed under the roads going around the perimeter of Sears.

Couldn't it be done that way then? It's a mess, but not a mega-project.

[mooks28]

Couldn't it be done that way then? It's a mess, but not a mega-project.

Haha, unless you're planning on footing the bill yourself, I'm not sure you're ever going to see this.

[officedweller]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4283534211_99ba959238_b.jpg

Thanks for posting.
Looks like my side of the building gets the nicer wrap...
(my office is now wrapped (one floor below the swing stage) in this pic.

[EdinVan]

Thanks for posting.
Looks like my side of the building gets the nicer wrap...
(my office is now warapped (one floor below the swing stage) in this pic.

Dear God, it's beyond tacky.

[SpongeG]

people don't want to cross one corner? so expect someone to pay 100,000 of $$$ to make a useful passageway that goes on little block not even?

haha

maybe that contracoption in the one pic is related to the video screen thing that will be going on the VAG? the projection system?

[Yume-sama]

I like the wrap, and I think the steps will look quite cool, too. Like a 3D landscape, almost.

[officedweller]

Have they got those darn tarps off the waterfall and stairs yet?

Tent is gone from the rooftop pool now (as well as the lower waterfall) - Tarps still up over the upper waterfall.

[officedweller]

Dear God, it's beyond tacky.

It's hard for party decorations to be understated...

[mr.x]

I love the waterfall effect!

[Delirium]

here's some details on the new zip trek line. this is going to be popular!

Ziptrek Vancouver

Come and be dazzled at Ziptrek’s latest venture. Perched above the law courts at Robson Square, guests will be provided the opportunity to zip over 170 metres (550') across Robson Street. Guests will zip high above the crowds an exhilarating six stories over Vancouver’s iconic downtown core!

This unique endeavor will provide visitors the opportunity to experience the thrill and exhilaration of ziplining – brought to prominence in North America by Ziptrek’s flagship operation in Whistler. Switching the traditional backdrop of old growth forest, to cityscape, should prove to be an amazing and rare experience. Not to mention the fact it will be taking place at one of the key hubs of Olympic activity! Be sure to come and check out this exclusive attraction. Only during the Olympics, and Free!

webcam will be live on this site: http://www.ziptrek.com/whistler-canada/tours/vancouver

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/1-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/323.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/2322.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/2323.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/oct2gon/122.jpg


DATES: Open Feb 12 - 28 (The entire Olympic period)
HOURS: Open daily from 10:00am - 9:00pm
PRICE: FREE

All guests are required to sign an Assumption of Risks and Release of Liability Agreement
(click here to download copy http://www.ziptrek.com/docs/Ziptrek-Vancouver_Olympic_Release.pdf ).
Under 19 requires signature by a parent or guardian.

[trofirhen]

Is this some sort of Skyride, or what?

[David]

it's a zip line
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip-line

[GeeCee]

Some giant picture taking touchscreen thing at Robson Square..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4330883826_fe5f0fb7b9_b.jpg

Removing some of the decals on the stairs..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4330148795_8576c36383_b.jpg

My pictures on Flickr

[deasine]

Why are they doing that?!

[GeeCee]

I didn't stick around to ask, but I imagine they are replacing the panels that have ripped. The guy on the bottom was checking the panels up close to look for rips, etc. This was February 3rd at about 3pm or so.

[deasine]

On the opposite stair case: Snow!

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=eijS7X5ZDdFRwx_jQCd2r_ZFG8LscITz

[SpongeG]

found video

_RNJPsJTL9Q

[LotusLand]

Vancity Buzz is reporting that the rink is closed. I've tried to look for another source anyone downtown confirm? I trust the site but you never know :)

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2010/02/robson-square-ice-rink-closed.html

[delboy]

Vancity Buzz is reporting that the rink is closed. I've tried to look for another source anyone downtown confirm? I trust the site but you never know :)

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2010/02/robson-square-ice-rink-closed.html

i caught the tail end of this on the news, opens again on weds after they lay some artificial ice or something?? It was closed due to the weather being too warm.

[Yume-sama]

I'd be shocked if this hasn't happened before. The current temperature is not that rare, or really any warmer than it has been.

[SpongeG]

i was down there just now and it was closed and lots of workers doing something laying out stuff on it

they have also installed a giant screen near the stage and steps...

[Yume-sama]

They're fitting the rink with synthetic ice, to replace the real ice. The real ice has gone and melted :P

It will re-open Wednesday night, with REAL ice over top of the synthetic ice.

Evidently this was pre-planned, and will be how the rink operates year round. They just got around to doing it... now.

[SpongeG]

watching on the news now - they are hoping they won't have to use it hoping it gets colder

[Yume-sama]

Working away at doing... something. This layer is not the synthetic ice.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4349149825_cd0a77a298_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/4349149825/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4349930734_fe67c3060c.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4349185469_3c6e1f21dd.jpg

My Olympic photo blog :P
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/

[VanTowers]

In the pic of the ice rink I have heard they are changing the ice to a fake plastic ice, which people can still skate on but it isn't the same. Apparently they haven't been able to keep the ice cold enough due to the warm weather so the ice has been melting. Kinda disappointing.

[SpongeG]

thats the plastic ice - this is what it is like when used...

k9Qv7FypTbY

[Yume-sama]

It is a pretty innovative product. There are several homes in Calgary that have this in their basement, that I am aware of.

Mike Vernon's $10 million mansion which he recently sold sad a 1/3rd size rink made of this.

There is a bit more resistance than real ice, which makes it ideal for training. You can be stronger / faster on real ice, after using this :P

Supposedly it is good for 10 years. Then you can flip it over and use it for another 10 years.

http://www.globalsyntheticice.com/gallery.aspx?type=img

[Yume-sama]

The rink was open tonight, with real ice. Like nothing ever happened. And boy was it busy!

[SpongeG]

its been cold the last 3 nights - did u bring it with u? i had to turn on the heat in my place

[Yume-sama]

its been cold the last 3 nights - did u bring it with u? i had to turn on the heat in my place

My AC is cranked up! 6 degrees, can you believe it! Haven't been in this warm of weather in months :P

[ozonemania]

thats the plastic ice - this is what it is like when used...

k9Qv7FypTbYIf you want to try it out, they have recovered a whole section of the road (the 'ice canal') in Park Royal Village in West Vancouver with this material and skating is open to the public.

[SpongeG]

thats frickin cold - my hands were like ice last night taking pictures so cold out there - i'm warpped in my blanket now cause its cold inside even

[metroXpress]

That synthetic surface is very different from the ice in arenas. Surrey Celebration Site uses the same thing for their temporary skating rink.

[Prometheus]

I'm watching the live feed of Robson Square on the "You Gotta Be Here" website. It looks crazy down there. There are thousands of people (normal people, not the the protesters).

Check out the live feed of Robson Square: http://www.yougottabehere.com/new_events_centre/robson_square_live_concerts_and_entertainment

[SpongeG]

cool thx for the link

[SpongeG]

projection on the robson side of sears!

[jlousa]

The square is going to be a gong show this summer, there is quite a bit of work that will be taking place, the biggest disturbance will be closing Robson st, the city is asking the province if it can be done between May and Sept, and it would be replaced with coloured concrete.

Strategic Infrastructure and Planning (SI&P) is implementing a multi-year comprehensive repair and renewal program for the Robson Square complex, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Planning for the repair and renewal program began in 2004. Repairs to significant portions of the facility have been completed. Additional repair and renewal projects are planned to be initiated and completed over the period 2010 to March 2011.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to select a Contractor as defined in the Request for Proposals to work with the Owner and the Owner’s Consulting team to provide general contracting services related to the repair and renewal of portions of the Robson Square complex including the mound at the corner of Hornby St. and Robson St., portions of the plaza south of Robson Street extending around the Mound and to the 800 Hornby St. entrance, the plazas north of Robson Street up to the Art Gallery building and the Robson Street roadway between Hornby St and Howe St. including
the Bridge structure.

[officedweller]

From the Sun.
Can't help but think that the clamshell would have provided a covered stage area, like they have (temporarily) on the south side of the ice rink.

Robson Square requires revamp

It's leaky, but it's Vancouver's civic square

By Miro Cernetig, Vancouver SunMarch 8, 2010

Arthur Erickson died nearly a year before the Olympics took place. But during the Games, one of his architectural masterpieces came to life in Vancouver.

I'm talking about Robson Square, the complex that includes the Vancouver Art Gallery, the revamped skating rink and the glass edifice of law courts that Erickson built in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

The great architect doesn't always get his due here in his hometown.

Robson Square's rooftop waterfalls have sometimes leaked and are often turned off. The skating rink was shut down for years. The current provincial government even thought of covering the square with a massive wooden roof -- the clam -- that would have pretty much desecrated Erickson's vision.

But the Olympics have offered a moment to appreciate what Erickson created.

For 17 days, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Robson Square, day and night, for music, fireworks and perhaps a run on the zip line. People lined up for hours to get into the art gallery. The skating rink, rebuilt by General Electric, was packed.

The Olympics left no doubt: Robson Square is the centre of gravity for Vancouver, a natural civic square that's been right under our noses.

"The Olympics proves Robson Square is the centre of Vancouver," says Cornelia Oberlander, the internationally renowned landscape architect who worked closely with Erickson. "It should be given significant building status and should be declared a heritage site."

You'd think Oberlander would be happy about the square and its success. But actually she's horrified about the next plan for Robson Square that some see as a fait accompli: Moving the Vancouver Art Gallery out to another location, likely an old bus depot near the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Why on earth, Oberlander asks, would we want to move the VAG out of Robson Square into a new building that will cost upwards of $300 million?

The argument has been the VAG is too small and outdated a building to compete with international galleries. Yet during the Olympics it attracted roughly 100,000 people who wanted to tour its permanent collection and see the exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings, brought in from the Queen's collection.

Put another way, the good old VAG easily handled what is likely to be the biggest crowd it will ever face in our lifetime. Is it really too small?

In his later years, Erickson apparently felt much the same trepidation over talk about moving the VAG out of Robson Square.

Oberlander says Erickson even had developed another idea that would give the gallery more exhibition space without necessitating a move. He proposed excavating beneath the public square at the front of the gallery, on Georgia Street, and creating subterranean exhibition halls for major exhibits.

Oberlander says Erickson's idea involved using glass to enclose part of the gallery and the square, something that's been done at European museums looking to update older buildings.

Bing Thom, the Vancouver architect who is one of Erickson's proteges, agrees. Adding space beneath the gallery would be cheaper than moving out, he estimates. As well, Thom believes an expanded VAG would make Robson Square even more of a magnet for the public.

Says Thom: "The whole idea of moving the Vancouver Art Gallery needs to be looked at again. The Olympics proved that Robson Square may be the most valuable, most exciting real estate in Canada. Arthur believed his expansion plan would work. I do too."

A big question about any relocation of the VAG should be its economic wisdom.

I've written in the past that a major gallery should be built, to put Vancouver on the art world's map. Maybe some day. But can we really find the money today?

Even as the economy boomed, the VAG was unable to raise any serious endowment for a new building. Yes, the provincial government has kicked in $50 million. But that leaves about $250 million or more to go in a very tough economy.

There are other dangers, too, if we don't take a pause and think this through.

If a hasty decision is made to move the VAG, and a new tenant is picked for the vacated space, the public's assumption will be that Vancouver will get a spectacular new edifice for public art as a replacement. But what if fundraising flags? You can bet there will be immense pressure to scale down the vision of that new gallery. We may not get the signature building we thought and the old one will be spoken for.

Before anyone lets the VAG move, the other question that needs to be asked is who will fill the old building? Will a vacated VAG remain a public space?

Or will it be nabbed by provincial court judges seeking new office space, the University of B. C or another office-hungry provincial agency?

We're at a crossroads on this. It's probably time for a collective pause.

Isn't the lesson from those 17 days of the Olympics that we should be looking at how we enhance Robson Square now that it has essentially been rediscovered?

Why not open up a public debate about expanding the current art gallery on site, as Erickson suggested?

While we're at it, let's ensure the skating rink stays open in future years. (General Electric, wowed by the rink's success, is now looking at partnering with the province to make that happen.)

And why not close Robson Street between Howe and Hornby on weekends and bring in a farmers' market for all those urbanites filling up our downtown condos?

One of Vancouver's Olympic legacies is that we've been reminded we've got an under-used architectural gem in the middle of the city. There needs to be an inclusive conversation about how to embrace it and preserve it.

mcernetig@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[ckkelley]

I hope that clamshell idea can be revived at some point in the future.

[trofirhen]

originally posted by Officedweller / 03-09-2010

Robson Square requires revamp

It's leaky, but it's Vancouver's civic square

By Miro Cernetig, Vancouver SunMarch 8, 2010

Arthur Erickson died nearly a year before the Olympics took place. But during the Games, one of his architectural masterpieces came to life in Vancouver.

I'm talking about Robson Square, the complex that includes the Vancouver Art Gallery, the revamped skating rink and the glass edifice of law courts that Erickson built in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

The great architect doesn't always get his due here in his hometown.

Robson Square's rooftop waterfalls have sometimes leaked and are often turned off. The skating rink was shut down for years. The current provincial government even thought of covering the square with a massive wooden roof -- the clam -- that would have pretty much desecrated Erickson's vision.

But the Olympics have offered a moment to appreciate what Erickson created.

For 17 days, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Robson Square, day and night, for music, fireworks and perhaps a run on the zip line. People lined up for hours to get into the art gallery. The skating rink, rebuilt by General Electric, was packed.

The Olympics left no doubt: Robson Square is the centre of gravity for Vancouver, a natural civic square that's been right under our noses.

"The Olympics proves Robson Square is the centre of Vancouver," says Cornelia Oberlander, the internationally renowned landscape architect who worked closely with Erickson. "It should be given significant building status and should be declared a heritage site."

You'd think Oberlander would be happy about the square and its success. But actually she's horrified about the next plan for Robson Square that some see as a fait accompli: Moving the Vancouver Art Gallery out to another location, likely an old bus depot near the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Why on earth, Oberlander asks, would we want to move the VAG out of Robson Square into a new building that will cost upwards of $300 million?

The argument has been the VAG is too small and outdated a building to compete with international galleries. Yet during the Olympics it attracted roughly 100,000 people who wanted to tour its permanent collection and see the exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings, brought in from the Queen's collection.

Put another way, the good old VAG easily handled what is likely to be the biggest crowd it will ever face in our lifetime. Is it really too small?

In his later years, Erickson apparently felt much the same trepidation over talk about moving the VAG out of Robson Square.

Oberlander says Erickson even had developed another idea that would give the gallery more exhibition space without necessitating a move. He proposed excavating beneath the public square at the front of the gallery, on Georgia Street, and creating subterranean exhibition halls for major exhibits.

Oberlander says Erickson's idea involved using glass to enclose part of the gallery and the square, something that's been done at European museums looking to update older buildings.

Bing Thom, the Vancouver architect who is one of Erickson's proteges, agrees. Adding space beneath the gallery would be cheaper than moving out, he estimates. As well, Thom believes an expanded VAG would make Robson Square even more of a magnet for the public.

Says Thom: "The whole idea of moving the Vancouver Art Gallery needs to be looked at again. The Olympics proved that Robson Square may be the most valuable, most exciting real estate in Canada. Arthur believed his expansion plan would work. I do too."

A big question about any relocation of the VAG should be its economic wisdom.

I've written in the past that a major gallery should be built, to put Vancouver on the art world's map. Maybe some day. But can we really find the money today?

Even as the economy boomed, the VAG was unable to raise any serious endowment for a new building. Yes, the provincial government has kicked in $50 million. But that leaves about $250 million or more to go in a very tough economy.

There are other dangers, too, if we don't take a pause and think this through.

If a hasty decision is made to move the VAG, and a new tenant is picked for the vacated space, the public's assumption will be that Vancouver will get a spectacular new edifice for public art as a replacement. But what if fundraising flags? You can bet there will be immense pressure to scale down the vision of that new gallery. We may not get the signature building we thought and the old one will be spoken for.

Before anyone lets the VAG move, the other question that needs to be asked is who will fill the old building? Will a vacated VAG remain a public space?

Or will it be nabbed by provincial court judges seeking new office space, the University of B. C or another office-hungry provincial agency?

We're at a crossroads on this. It's probably time for a collective pause.

Isn't the lesson from those 17 days of the Olympics that we should be looking at how we enhance Robson Square now that it has essentially been rediscovered?

Why not open up a public debate about expanding the current art gallery on site, as Erickson suggested?

While we're at it, let's ensure the skating rink stays open in future years. (General Electric, wowed by the rink's success, is now looking at partnering with the province to make that happen.)

And why not close Robson Street between Howe and Hornby on weekends and bring in a farmers' market for all those urbanites filling up our downtown condos?

One of Vancouver's Olympic legacies is that we've been reminded we've got an under-used architectural gem in the middle of the city. There needs to be an inclusive conversation about how to embrace it and preserve it.

mcernetig@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
___________________________________________________________________


oh please ... just remove those pagodas............ :yuck:

[jlousa]

Please provide a direct link to the article. Thanks

[trofirhen]

Please provide a direct link to the article. Thanks

It said: March 8, The Vancouver Sun, Miro Cernetig, (with his email) I did not know this was insufficient, sorry.

It was originally posted by Officedweller, and I added his name and date at the top. Hope that's OK.

[jlousa]

I see the link was missed the first time as well, just a reminder for all members to post the link to the source for any articles. Thanks.

[officedweller]

Will do

[trofirhen]

Regarding the Vancouver Art Gallery, I think that idea listed in the article of constructing large underground exhibition halls and galleries is a great and timely idea.

This building is the "aristocrat" of all Vancouver architecture, and deserves a role such as it has now. In addition, building the underground halls would involve a skylight (probably in the for of a geodesic dome or such) on the Georgia Street plaza, and this would facilitate the whole revamping, upgrading, and lighting of the plaza.

The great front doors and staircase could become what it always should have been: the main gallery entrance. And the Georgia Street side would be elegantly lit up, and could probably accomodate amenities like a sidewalk café with cappucino bar, or whatever the public prefers, and become and inviting, and magnificent, central city square.

Spatially speaking, in relation to the business district, the shopping district, and the ceremonial street Georgia, the Art Gallery Plaza is the true georgraphical "heart" of Vancouver.

By implementing this plan, Robson Square would also enjoy a "spinoff" benefit, and even if the "clamshell is not built according to the original design, could see some very significant upgrading that would attract more people and keep it alive at all hours.

Most importantly, of course, with all that extra exhibition space the art gallery could house collections, both permanent and visiting, that would elevate its staus as a gallery and make it a truly first-grade cultural institution.

Having the great waterfront amenities that Vancouver has is a wonderful asset to the city, but every great city needs a true "core" or "heart," if you will, such as Nathan Philips Square in Toronto, Sergels Torg in Stockholm, la Place de la Concorde in Paris, or Trafalgar Square in London.

The ambitious expansion plan to the current gallery would instigate just that, and give Vancouver that truly "worldclass" (very clichéd term, now) aspect that it does not yet have.

IMHO ....... let's go for it.

[officedweller]

The latest phase of re-membraning is underway - removal of the knoll.
Looks like they have cut-down trees rather than removed them intact.
That suggests that the final product may differ from the current design (since they had painstakingly removed trees and shrubs from the planters on the upper levels of the complex and replanted them).
Note that Robson Street has been fenced and is a work zone.

Pic by me today:

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8548/imgp1511t.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/i/imgp1511t.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7523/imgp1511w.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/imgp1511w.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Smooth]

Wasn't that where the Asia Pacific Trade Centre was supposed to go? Or was that just an idea floated prior to the Olympics.

It's tough to keep track of what were visions and what were actual plans for Robson Square.

[mr.x]

Are the ice rink boards coming down anytime soon?

[SpongeG]

when they take down the pagodas tehy will take the rink walls down ;)

[PROSTSHOCKER]

Wait what

They mowed down the greenery on that corner? There better be a good explanation/purpose for this. Perhaps they missed the wrong corner and some certain pagodas. That's for re-membraning it?

[vancityrox]

Hopefully they can use that corner and make it a nice public plaza and connect it with the rest of the stairway behind it. With a nice big fountain, small garden and maybe a coffee consention stand like they have at the CBC plaza with JJ Bean (that one is soooo nice). I think it would be great way to open up that corner and use it! Unlike before with all the trees ( which was very nice but that corner felt so closed off) and lots of pot smokers and other druggies hiding in there.

[trofirhen]

Wait what

They mowed down the greenery on that corner? There better be a good explanation/purpose for this. Perhaps they missed the wrong corner and some certain pagodas. That's for re-membraning it?

The only reason I can think of for chopping down the grove on that corner was that it was a hangout for druggies and lowlifers. Otherwise, it made a nice oasis of green in the city; but then, things don't always work out they way they were intended.

As for the pagodas .... if someone doesn't do something about removing them soon, it will be a testimonial to the poor judgement and bad taste of the powers that be. They're hideous. Case closed

[paradigm4]

I'm glad that knoll is being redone. Went up there once to explore and ran into homeless campers, garbage, and rats! Gross! There wasn't even lighting up there before the Olympics. Good riddance.

I'd also like to see it turned into a nice plaza and maybe a little shop to liven up the area.

[Locked In]

I'd also be very happy if the knoll doesn't return after the re-membraning is finished. I agree that creating an open plaza on that corner would go a long ways towards making Robson Square a better public space.

Out of curiosity, has anyone showed up to oppose this yet? I would have expected that chainsawing trees in the middle of the city would attract some protesters.

[SpongeG]

i always saw rats in there and sketchy looking people heading up the stairs it would provide great space if it were just left open and flat

[delboy]

i always saw rats in there and sketchy looking people heading up the stairs it would provide great space if it were just left open and flat

The area around there is a haven for pot smokers and the like, pretty sad when you consider it's the supreme court house!

[trofirhen]

I think putting a high-playing fountain in that spot would be good. We don't have a lot of fountains in Vancouver, as it is.

[jlousa]

Umm one of our many nicknames is the city of fountains. Google it, there are hundreds of them throughout the core.

This location had been breifly set aside for the Dalai Lama Centre which now looks like it won't happen at all. I haven't heard anything recently on the Asia Pacific centre either.

[Delirium]

^ there's even a website dedicated just to water fountains in Vancouver;
http://www.vancouverfountains.com/

[officedweller]

That's for re-membraning it?

Yes - they are replacing the 35 year old membrane under the garden (which is the roof of UBC downtown). They've already done much of the rest of the roof and plazas.

I haven't heard of anything different being built in its place. I'd expect the knoll to return.
The Arthur Erickson purists would have a fit otherwise.

[trofirhen]

Umm one of our many nicknames is the city of fountains. Google it, there are hundreds of them throughout the core.

This location had been breifly set aside for the Dalai Lama Centre which now looks like it won't happen at all. I haven't heard anything recently on the Asia Pacific centre either.

You are right, sorry. Except that ours seem rather like pools or often, cascades. I was hoping for something like the one in Sergels Torg, Stockholm. Stockholm, like Vancouver, was NOT bombed during the war, so this is not a rebuild. They just "did it." BTW, the big comumn isn't concrete, it's glass, and glows spectacularly at night.

Click on the picture to enlarge the view.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Sergels_torg_2006-07-15.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sergels_torg_2006-07-15.jpg&usg=__7U2UgiCShehGRfaMtwwy9MMp5qM=&h=2304&w=3072&sz=2121&hl=en&start=2&itbs=1&tbnid=zE6UmRaKWloVBM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsergels%2Btorg%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

[Locked In]

Sounds like the City had little or no heads up that this was going ahead. Anyways, a quote near the end of the article indicates that the gardens will end up looking pretty much the same once the work is finished...



City caught unaware as trees chopped down at Robson Square

By Todd Coyne, Vancouver Sun - May 16, 2010 9:49 PM

http://www.vancouversun.com/3036091.bin?size=620x400
People walk past the stumps after iconic trees around Robson Square were cut down in downtown Vancouver, May 16, 2010. The public square was originally designed by Arthur Erickson.
Photograph by: Mark van Manen, PNG

VANCOUVER - A mound of dirt littered with tree stumps and upturned roots is nearly all that remains of the gardens at Robson Square after the province brought in workers with chainsaws and backhoes Friday to level the area in preparation for repairs to the square’s underground roof.

Only a handful of small pink-flowered rhododendron trees remain in the Arthur Erickson- and Cornelia Oberlander-designed gardens and walkways near the corner of Robson and Hornby streets. Steel fences have been erected around the site and the once lush floral beds and undergrowth have all been hauled away. The larger pine and maple trees were reduced to stumps and piles of kindling-sized logs.

Dario Le Donne, a foreman on the site with Kedco Constructors Ltd., said Sunday that the B.C. government, which owns Robson Square, had hired his company through Robson Square’s external operator, Aries Construction, to rip up the surface of the square and install a new rubber membrane to stop water from leaking into the building.

“The whole thing leaks like a sieve right now,” Le Donne said. “Some of the trees are going back but obviously some were destroyed.”

Oberlander, the world-renowned landscape architect who designed the site, said that she wasn’t notified of the province’s decision to tear out the gardens until the work was completed Friday.

“It looks absolutely awful because they’re doing it at the wrong time of year against my advice. You do that usually in the winter and then you can lift the trees out, the bushes out and store them,” said Oberlander. “But the season has advanced so much that we had to take [out] some of the bushes that we could not save.”

Officials with the City of Vancouver admitted being equally caught off-guard by the province’s plans to tear up the garden.

“I hadn’t realized that this was in the works to be honest,” said Vancouver city manager Penny Ballem. “I do know that the province has a lot of work that they want to do on Robson Square and some of it we have oversight over it lots of it we don’t because they are the province and they have more leeway than everybody else using our land.”

She said if the city’s planning department had been involved a plan would have been required to restore the garden to its original state.

NPA Coun. Suzanne Anton was also surprised by the province’s swift and unannounced action on the square.

“It’s not something that came to council, I can tell you that,” she said. “It’s very important to the city that we retain our trees. We need to keep that green arbour in our city.”

Oberlander called it “very shameful” that neither Aries nor the province had alerted the public or even her about their plans to begin dismantling the historic garden.

“I’m unfortunately in the position where Aries did not issue a press release and I found out only late Friday evening,” she said.

“But we are doing it exactly to the plan that was made in 1976 in Arthur’s office, which I did. [B]When it’s finished, it’ll be a little younger but look the same way.”

Le Donne estimated that the roof-membrane-installation will take a year to complete.

tcoyne@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Source: Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/City+caught+unaware+trees+chopped+down+Robson+Square/3036090/story.html)

[SpongeG]

booo!

[trofirhen]

^ there's even a website dedicated just to water fountains in Vancouver;
http://www.vancouverfountains.com/

They forgot the Swedish Memorial Fountain outside the Van Dusen Gardens.

[BCPhil]

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8548/imgp1511t.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/i/imgp1511t.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)


After seeing it with the trees gone it actually looks good.

I would like to see it stay the way it looks in this picture. Remove the bushes and thick trees that made it a hang out for drug deals and rats, and make it a grassy knoll. It would be nice to walk up the steps to the top where there might be a tree or two to sit under in the shade and have a look around, or sit on the sloped hill and lay in the sun on the grass. Sort of like a much better located Victory Park (with less sleeping bags and shopping carts). If where the trees and bushes were cut down was replaced with grass, and the taller trees were left for shade, it would be amazing and very open.

I don't want it to become a flat concrete plaza, a fountain, or worse a shop. I want a great place to sit after a long shopping walk along Robson.

I like Ericksons original intent, but the garden did feel claustrophobic and was home to lots of rats. A grassy hill where people can sit would, I think, still keep in line with the original intent.

[jlousa]

Don't know why the city was caught off guard, the RFPs were released weeks ago, all they had to do was read it.

[trofirhen]

After seeing it with the trees gone it actually looks good.

I would like to see it stay the way it looks in this picture. Remove the bushes and thick trees that made it a hang out for drug deals and rats, and make it a grassy knoll. It would be nice to walk up the steps to the top where there might be a tree or two to sit under in the shade and have a look around, or sit on the sloped hill and lay in the sun on the grass. Sort of like a much better located Victory Park (with less sleeping bags and shopping carts). If where the trees and bushes were cut down was replaced with grass, and the taller trees were left for shade, it would be amazing and very open.

I don't want it to become a flat concrete plaza, a fountain, or worse a shop. I want a great place to sit after a long shopping walk along Robson.

I like Ericksons original intent, but the garden did feel claustrophobic and was home to lots of rats. A grassy hill where people can sit would, I think, still keep in line with the original intent.

Right on !!! Keep a couple of big trees, make the rest grass with a couple of flowering shrubs (rhododendrons?) and maybe add something intriguing, like a snaking arbutus. :tup:

[officedweller]

Don't know why the city was caught off guard, the RFPs were released weeks ago, all they had to do was read it.

Yeah, and the tone of the Sun article was that the landscape designer was "shocked" that she wasn't notified of the actual date - although she's been involved in the process (she comments that she wanted them to install waterproofing in the winter) so obviously she knew that they would be cut down.

[Smooth]

What? No-one's proposing palm trees for this location? ;)

[Prometheus]

What? No-one's proposing palm trees for this location? ;)

The vigilance of the palm tree crowd is slipping.

[paradigm4]

Robson Square gardens cleared to repair roof - CBC - May 17

The urban gardens atop Vancouver's Robson Square have been cleared out so that workers can install a rubber membrane to stop rainwater leaking into the building below.

The iconic building in the heart of downtown Vancouver is owned and used by the provincial government, but in recent years its roof has been leaking badly.

The building underwent a major upgrade before the Olympics, but on Friday crews moved in to start clearing the gardens in order to prepare for the roof's repair.

Cornelia Oberlander, the landscape architect who designed the grounds with the building's architect Arthur Erickson, said she was not notified that the removal was to take place this weekend.

"I expected this to happen in March immediately after the Olympics and it didn't," said Oberlander, who noted more of the mature trees could have been saved if the work had been done over the winter instead.

"I have not gone down because this is my most precious design...and it hurts to see something like this happen," she said.

Staff at Vancouver City Hall were also reportedly caught off guard by the work, but also have limited input into the project because the building falls under provincial jurisdiction.

The replacement of the membrane could take up to a year to complete. After that, the gardens will be replanted according to the original design, said Oberlander.

Robson Square was completed in 1983 and is considered to be one of the most significant architectural works of Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson. It houses the B.C. Supreme Court, a branch of UBC, and several B.C. government offices.

Its public plazas on Robson Street also played a central role in the recent 2010 Olympic Winter Games celebrations.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/05/17/bc-robson-square-gardens-cleared.html?ref=rss#ixzz0oDe7ty47

Sorry Cornelia but it's a shitty design. This area should *not* be restored to what it previously was. I'm getting quite sick of this mentality that we cannot change, alter or improve a so-called "iconic" design just because this was an Erickson piece. The clamshell would've been great during the Olympics.

I was around the Square on the weekend, and the north side was busier than normal, with people using hula hoops, a number of street vendors and more than a couple chess games. I think all this normal activity moved out the sketchy crowd that sits on the stairs, as it was filled with more tourists than gothic druggies.

Say what you may, but the rest of the space was absolutely dead. Nothing was happening underground in the "GE Plaza". I still vehemently believe that the Square's design is a horrid failure and needs to be completely redone from the ground up. It should not be recessed underground, there should not be an active road cutting through it, and there should be way more well designed space to encourage street activity. Until that is done, Robson Square will never truly be the heart of downtown.

[wrenegade]

Any word if the fountains will ever be turned back on?

[itinerant]

Yeah, and the tone of the Sun article was that the landscape designer was "shocked" that she wasn't notified of the actual date - although she's been involved in the process (she comments that she wanted them to install waterproofing in the winter) so obviously she knew that they would be cut down.

Cornelia Hahn-Oberlander has been against wholesale destruction of the landscaping and plant material since the project was first initiated to redo the roof membranes. Her argument is that the plant material (mainly mature shrubs and trees) doesn't need to be destroyed in the operation, and that careful planning of when the plants are removed and replanted would mean we would have kept the mature growth of those plants and trees--rather than going back in time to an immature landscape. She is very experienced with this type of operation, and as designer of the landscape her recommendations should have been heeded.

[itinerant]

Sorry Cornelia but it's a shitty design. This area should *not* be restored to what it previously was. I'm getting quite sick of this mentality that we cannot change, alter or improve a so-called "iconic" design just because this was an Erickson piece. The clamshell would've been great during the Olympics.

I was around the Square on the weekend, and the north side was busier than normal, with people using hula hoops, a number of street vendors and more than a couple chess games. I think all this normal activity moved out the sketchy crowd that sits on the stairs, as it was filled with more tourists than gothic druggies.

Say what you may, but the rest of the space was absolutely dead. Nothing was happening underground in the "GE Plaza". I still vehemently believe that the Square's design is a horrid failure and needs to be completely redone from the ground up. It should not be recessed underground, there should not be an active road cutting through it, and there should be way more well designed space to encourage street activity. Until that is done, Robson Square will never truly be the heart of downtown.

For several years after it was built, the whole landscape and plaza was extremely popular and well-utilized. Not to say it didn't need maintenance over time--it surely did--but classifying the whole thing as a failure is really a very myopic view. The users change, the uses change, the tenants change. You could just as easily blame BCBC and BC PavCo for not seeking better tenants in the public parts of the square or keeping on top of maintenance, and the police for not getting druggies and vagrants out of the park and off the steps of the VAG. Even the Law Courts could be partly to blame by making it harder to go through the block by discouraging foot traffic.

Keeping Robson Square viable only works when there are things there people want to see and do. Restaurants, shops, book stores, exhibitions, films, lectures.... all these things were originally in the site, and have gradually been displaced by UBC's closed ecosystem when it took over the space of the Robson Media Centre. The VAG should instead displace UBC, and restaurants and shops should be once again brought into to put more vital and people-oriented attractions in place. Also, Robson square needs to stay easily cross-able and accessible so that there are always people moving through it to keep it safe and populated.

[ozonemania]

Pic by me today:

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8548/imgp1511t.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/i/imgp1511t.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)I have to disagree with you itinerant. I've seen this garden space grow over the last 20 years, and rarely in those 20 years have I heard anything good said about this space. It is a horribly designed garden. It was either underutilized, ignored, or misused. Not only is the landscaping awful, but the maintenance has been bad too. I just think that the maintenance landscapers just didn't know what to make out of the space so they just let it all grow in to mask what little function it had.

The way it sequesters itself from the surrounding urban environment is all fine but is that really appropriate for a public space that is supposed to bring people together? Then again I don't think Robson Square itself is particularly designed for that.

Don't get me wrong, if they restore it to the way it was it won't bother me. But while they have it all dug up, why can't think of doing something better? It's an opportunity.

[trofirhen]

The vigilance of the palm tree crowd is slipping.

As one of "the palm tree crowd," I think I speak for most of us when I say that we're more realistic about palms trees in the city than before.

First, palms are holding their own around many new apartments, and in city gardens.

The only place we'd really like to see palm trees is down central boulevards, where they are currently planting eastern Maples - lovely trees to be sure, but barren and bleak in winter. That might be a good spot for palm trees.

To see the evoluton on this, go to the "turning Vancouver into Hawaii" thread.

[trofirhen]

For several years after it was built, the whole landscape and plaza was extremely popular and well-utilized. Not to say it didn't need maintenance over time--it surely did--but classifying the whole thing as a failure is really a very myopic view. The users change, the uses change, the tenants change. You could just as easily blame BCBC and BC PavCo for not seeking better tenants in the public parts of the square or keeping on top of maintenance, and the police for not getting druggies and vagrants out of the park and off the steps of the VAG. Even the Law Courts could be partly to blame by making it harder to go through the block by discouraging foot traffic.

Keeping Robson Square viable only works when there are things there people want to see and do. Restaurants, shops, book stores, exhibitions, films, lectures.... all these things were originally in the site, and have gradually been displaced by UBC's closed ecosystem when it took over the space of the Robson Media Centre. The VAG should instead displace UBC, and restaurants and shops should be once again brought into to put more vital and people-oriented attractions in place. Also, Robson square needs to stay easily cross-able and accessible so that there are always people moving through it to keep it safe and populated.

IMO, that is a very well-rounded perspective on Robson Square. It was great when it opened because there were many things to do, places to eat, etc.
Yes, get UBC into a place of their own, bring back the Media Centre, the restaurants, and so forth, let the VAG expand there if it's feasible, and Robson Square will come alive again. *(Especially if the Georgia St. plaza is given some treatment to turn it into an elegant square, instead of a bland, scruffy, suburban lawn, like it is today.)

[BCPhil]

I have to disagree with you itinerant. I've seen this garden space grow over the last 20 years, and rarely in those 20 years have I heard anything good said about this space. It is a horribly designed garden. It was either underutilized, ignored, or misused. Not only is the landscaping awful, but the maintenance has been bad too. I just think that the maintenance landscapers just didn't know what to make out of the space so they just let it all grow in to mask what little function it had.

The way it sequesters itself from the surrounding urban environment is all fine but is that really appropriate for a public space that is supposed to bring people together? Then again I don't think Robson Square itself is particularly designed for that.

Don't get me wrong, if they restore it to the way it was it won't bother me. But while they have it all dug up, why can't think of doing something better? It's an opportunity.

Yeah, I agree with you there.

If they were going to do this, why didn't they do it BEFORE the Olympics. It really would have opened up the space for people to gather (the trees were in the way of the light show so you had a hard time seeing it from the west).

If they are going to put it back, hopefully they keep it in check and maintained this time. But if they knew they were going to tear it all up all along, why didn't they do this last summer, leave the space open for people to hang out in and provide space for more booths, and then replant everything now or this fall?

[SpongeG]

i think they should at least do this - grey is like sidewalk open areas and the gfreen be shrubs and low trees etc and the blue is a water feature - the corner can still be raised but should be open so people can see whats going on up there at least and do some people watch in the area

thanks to the original pic taker officedweller...

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8546/ribsinsqaureme.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/i/ribsinsqaureme.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[trofirhen]

:previous: :previous: :previous: :previous: :previous: :previous: :previous: :previous:

Interesting idea: two questions - what is the dark brown area, and also, does it "step down" to a lower level, or would you keep most of it at street level?

(maybe I got my colours mixed up. In that case, excuse me, but with more detail, this idea is interesting)

[SpongeG]

the brown is suppossed to be grey like sidewalk/plaza space - it would be kept at street level - the wall bit u can see in the original pic would continue to robson basically and there would be the planting are for shrubs and whatever and than stairs up from robson to the plaza that is there now but instead of beinmg so closed off it could be open with seating around and it would link up well with the plaza already at the south end

maybe this is clearer - lol not the best but...

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7562/ribsinsqaure2.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/ribsinsqaure2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[trofirhen]

the brown is suppossed to be grey like sidewalk/plaza space - it would be kept at street level - the wall bit u can see in the original pic would continue to robson basically and there would be the planting are for shrubs and whatever and than stairs up from robson to the plaza that is there now but instead of beinmg so closed off it could be open with seating around and it would link up well with the plaza already at the south end

Interesting. Any possibility you could make a few conceptual drawings of it showing it from different angles?

[SpongeG]

and be even cooler you know that transparent cement that lights up they could do the wall in that stuff so it would glow at night :)

basically the plaza as is now is cut off by a dark little path that is completely useless opening it so people can see the plaza from robson - line it with benches etc people can hang out etc.

an example of that cement that has lighting in it

http://3rings.designerpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/concrete-art-by-transparent-house-large3.jpg
3rings.designerpages.com

http://images.iop.org/objects/opo/news/thumb/10/3/10/concrete2.jpg
images.iop.org

[trofirhen]

:previous: :previous: :previous: :previous: :previous:

Is that in Vancouver? It's rather elegant! If used correctly, something like that would really add something to the square. (Keeping in mind that Ericksson was a Swede, his designs have sort of an austere functionality to them, like the former Mac-Blo building - big concrete waffle iron - and Robson square itself.)

The original idea, apparently was to downplay the man-made part, so as to let the natural vegetation make a Bold West Cost Nature-type of statement. Unfortunately, it didn't come off quite as planned, although I love the waterfalls, and the stairs going down from them. The sunken part is what I have reservations about, and I think a lot of other people might, too.

[SpongeG]

they could just do striped to mimic other parts of the courthouse etc.

[trofirhen]

they could just do striped to mimic other parts of the courthouse etc.

Good idea. That would be in keeping with the minimalist design. The extra lighting would be good, too. Vancouver often comes across as a bit too dark at night.

[trofirhen]

BTW, another aspect of Robson Square that turns me off is the Howe Street side of the Law Courts part. It's a big, beetling, concrete overhang with a faintly menacing quality to it that offers NOTHING in the way of charm.

I once suggested to someone on the design comission at City Hall to hang kites, and wind chimes up there, for colour and melody, to break the austere claustrophobia that part of the building can induce. (There isn't much one can do with it, structurally)

My idea was given a patronizing smile, and trashed, of course........ But was it such a BAAAAAAAAAAAAD idea? (guess it was):(

[SpongeG]

i should go to dollar giant and get some wind chmes and hang them for you ;)

[trofirhen]

i should go to dollar giant and get some wind chmes and hang them for you ;)

Do that !!!! Extra big ones. And some kites and windsocks, too !!!! Make that side of Howe Street a work of art! (I'm not kidding)

[Yume-sama]

i should go to dollar giant and get some wind chmes and hang them for you ;)

Maybe just a couple of tinfoil plates, akin to the one outside of one angst ridden forumers window. :frog: