Robson Square Renovations

[dreambrother808]

Nice to see that the current fountain is a goner. The Plalo Ring excites me most.

[spm2013]

Ah the ring illuminates. Didn't care for it at first glance but anything that lights up gets my vote.

[vitc]

Honestly, none of them really excites me. The Plalo Ring is kinda cool and the best option IMO if I had to pick one. Overall a bit disappointed.

[Millennium2002]

Originally Posted by vitc

Honestly, none of them really excites me. The Plalo Ring is kinda cool and the best option IMO if I had to pick one. Overall a bit disappointed.

Yeah. I'd frankly prefer something modern, simplistic and clean aka the square that the Olympic Torch sits on.

The Active Edge idea looks okay in that respect, but the long shape of the fountain close to the street gives the impression of a jersey barrier... I'd rather have a smaller fountain, if that were possible.

The plalo ring? I think it's too tacky... not to mention that someone already mentioned how it'll probably end up being involved in a seagull 🞵🞵🞵🞵 in no time.

Finally... wet? Really? That's the last thing I want to be reminded of on a sunny day... lol.

[hollywoodnorth]

Plalo Ring works for me but as jlo said earlier I think we should be waiting off on this till we find out the next tenant of the art gallery space.

[NewWester]

I think I rather like the Wet concept. It feels like a very charming play on Vancouver as a rainy place and would look pretty cool with the reflection of the water.

[CBeats]

The Plalo ring is so cool! That gets my vote. So much potential for light and sound. It could become a Vancouver landmark!

[Jebby]

I like the ring concept as well as the reflecting pool right against the building in the 'active edge' proposal.

[trofirhen]

This is really exciting, in that the authorities are finally "targeting" the North Plaza, as well as just Robson Square in general.

Personally, I find the "PLALO RING" concept a bit gimmicky; "tacky" as Allan Kuan said.
but the other two, and if a few tweaks were made on the "active edge" option, I think I'd choose that one.
The Wet concept seems like overkill in a city with such a rainy climate.

I know the majority of posters so far seem to prefer the PLALO RING, so I'm out of sync again, ... but it does seeem a bit tacky and gimmicky.
Sorry folks.

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by vitc

Honestly, none of them really excites me. The Plalo Ring is kinda cool and the best option IMO if I had to pick one. Overall a bit disappointed.

Dull, dull, dull. A parking lot would be more exciting.

Why not just fix the original fountain (which many people enjoy) and replace the woodchips with grass (or even astroturf)?

And what's with all those happy people frolicking in the background in each of the renders?

[connect2source]

Option 1 Wet :

-most timeless
-ties in the best with the existing Robson Sq. design
-pays most respect to Arthur Erickson's legacy
-reference great international design
-most modernist
-least 'trendy'
-references our local climate the best
-most interactive
-look best from above

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Option 1 Wet :

-most timeless
-ties in the best with the existing Robson Sq. design
-pays most respect to Arthur Erickson's legacy
-reference great international design
-most modernist
-least 'trendy'
-references our local climate the best
-most interactive
-look best from above

Putting it the way you just did, I was forced to do some rethinking, and you're absolutely % right on, IMO.

oh, and I forgot; with great lighting (different, preferably, than the color scheme on the present fountain and pool.)

[VanK]

At first I found the comment "the first one is just gonna turn into a bird 🞵🞵🞵🞵 with a ring of poop under neath" which was posted by "rsxstock" in the Downtown Vancouver updates room regarding the Plalo Ring funny... but the more I think about it, isn't this a true reality?

[city-dweller]

I would rank them active edge, wet, and the paolo ring.

Active edge from the renderings shows a design quality that matches the new developments such as Nordstroms nearby. It appears to maximize the plaza open space while protecting people from the high volume Georgia street.

Wet is great as it is trying to the incorporate the rain and water features as part of the pubic space. I may be off the mark, but don't Active water features require more expensive maintenance. so I would prefer more passive treatments, but I like the idea of all season usability.

The ring is the boldest idea for this space. My biggest issue is the yahoos damaging it despite the installation height. To be fair having a programable ring of lights (LED I assume) and directional stage lights would be pretty cool.

[Hourglass]

The active edge concept appears most 'European' to me -- something that might be seen in some larger cities on the Continent. However, I can imagine that the space would be quite bleak in the middle of winter.

The 'wet' concept somehow feels most organic, and based on similar concepts in other cities, people (esp kids) tend to be fascinated by the water feature. The Plalo Ring does feel a bit gimmicky, but I could see this becoming a signature piece.

Happy with either Option 1 or 3.

[phesto]

Not really excited by any of the 3 options either.

In classic Vancouver fashion, the project is a design by (architect) committee, responding to an array of site constraints, and within a tight budget...is it any wonder the plalo ring is the only interesting (if gimmicky) design component?

[connect2source]

[QUOTE=trofirhen;6287294]Putting it the way you just did, I was forced to do some rethinking, and you're absolutely % right on, IMO.

Thanks so much!! Also it's the only option that's truly interactive and engaging, especially during the warm months.

[djmk]

I think all these ideas have merit. Personally, now that the rains have started and won't stop for another 6 months, I would of liked to see some sort of cover (giant clam anyone?)

The water park is really cool for about 3 months a year.

that ring is really different. I really like it but I could see how it could flop.

The active edge is the cleanest and safest. but the most boring

[logan5]

I wouldn't mind seeing 2 or 3 nice restaurants/pubs built into the ground floor of the courthouse building. That would bring some activity to the new plaza.

[Denscity]

They could always install "bird spikes" along the top of the ring to prevent birds from forming said 🞵🞵🞵🞵.