Science World Expansion/SWITCH Outdoor Science Park | Completed - Page 5

Locked In · #81 Posted **Mar 22, 2011, 4:23 AM**

^ No kidding. But parts of the new facade looks like they're going to be grey, featuring yellow, blue and red blocks, so...

entheosfog · #82 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 1:34 AM**

Some quick snaps from today:

sono65 · #83 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 1:48 AM**

Colors used make it look like its from the mid 80's. Reminds me a bit of Spectrum.

Thanks for the Photos.

agrant · #84 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sono65

Colors used make it look like its from the mid 80's. Reminds me a bit of Spectrum.

Thanks for the Photos.

It is from the mid 80's. Built for Expo.

Overground · #85 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 2:21 AM**

Now it looks like it actually hasn't been renovated since the 80s.

This kind of 80s colour blocking was used for a lot of things back then. Didn't Le Chateau even have this kind of design stuff for their stores or their shopping bags?

sono65 · #86 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 2:27 AM**

Wonder if they'll give the old ball a power wash when it's completed. Looks like it could use it almost as much as Sears.

Spork · #87 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 2:52 AM**

^^ What you're seeing is likely reflection. They cleaned it before the Olympics when they replaced all of the lights to LED.

itinerant · #88 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 5:43 AM**

Here's a quick comparison of Expo 86 Centre during the fair 25 years ago, and the image from Etheosfog today. Can't say I like the Mondrian look of the new panels, but they certainly are consistent with the trend in colour blocking buildings in Vancouver (Capitol comes to mind).

Photo on the left copyright (c) 1986 Gregory Melle, Flickr
Photo on the right from entheosfog (a few posts above)

SpongeG · #89 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 5:58 AM**

i quite like the 80's look - the red band under the ball is really eye catching

jsbertram · #90 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i quite like the 80's look - the red band under the ball is really eye catching

The Expo86 photo is on the left.

The red band is on the 2011 version of 'the sparkly golfball'.

I can't believe we're already doing "retro 80's" decorating.
Doesn't anyone have good -new -current -fresh design ideas?

SpongeG · #91 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbertram

The Expo86 photo is on the left.

The red band is on the 2011 version of 'the sparkly golfball'.

i know i mean i like the retro 80's look of the renovation - the original is okay but the renovated version is better

officedweller · #92 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 8:09 PM**

You can see the Expo Theatre in the background of that Expo pic.

I like the original version better - unless they plan on covering the colour blocking with banners, the original design allowed more promotional opportunities with the banners that they displayed on the facades. Now it looks quite generic, whereas before, there were images of "science-y" things.

BCPhil · #93 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i know i mean i like the retro 80's look of the renovation - the original is okay but the renovated version is better

The original looks more like it was intended to be temporary, like they didn't put on some nice walls because they figured it was coming down in a year. I like that the renovation is 80's retro. It makes the building look more complete while still keeping the 80's "heritage" alive and well. And the red band is very striking.

The color blocks also makes it pretty apparent that the contents inside are targeted for children and families. It might not be quite contemporary enough for some, but it does feel inviting, like it is asking me to come check it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

You can see the Expo Theatre in the background of that Expo pic.

I like the original version better - unless they plan on covering the colour blocking with banners, the original design allowed more promotional opportunities with the banners that they displayed on the facades. Now it looks quite generic, whereas before, there were images of "science-y" things.

If you look closely at the pics, it looks like there are some pegs sticking out of some of the blocks near the top and bottom of the wall. They are equally spaced on the various sections, so it looks like they are there to hang some banners off of. It looks like they will be narrow banners, but narrow banners seem to be more popular at the moment anyway. Many touring shows probably have a standard size banner to hang in advertisement.

trofirhen · #94 Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 9:35 PM**

Sorry but I like the original shiny one better.

Sprawl · #95 Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 6:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Sorry but I like the original shiny one better.

What's shiny in the 'original' one that isn't shiny now?
I like what they've done with the renovation, It stays true to the architectural period and building's use.

SFUVancouver · #96 Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 9:51 PM**

It doesn't help that the current photo was taken on a cloudy day since the mirrored surfaces simply reflect what's around them. With that said, the gradual weathering of the geodesic surfaces and their support space frame and mullions have taken some of the lustre off of the building since it was built 25 years ago. It never hurts to remember that it was a built to be a temporary structure, too.

I'm very happy to see that Science World has been able to raise and receive the resources necessary to renew and grow into the next phase of its life. Plus its relative position in the city has only improved, and will continue to do so, as the built environment around it changes from barren tarmac to parks, buildings, and an ever improving Seawall.

Taking a step back, it's really very heartening to me to see that both Science World and Canada Place have received major improvements, renewals, and upgrades since their construction for Expo. They are two of our city's most important and iconic structures and it would have been an immense shame to have seen them wither away and die like the Plaza of Nations and Enterprise Hall.

SpongeG · #97 Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 9:56 PM**

yeah really the only reminders of expo too - unless you count the old expo benches found in various parks in the suburbs, theres not too much left physically of expo

Sprawl · #98 Posted **Apr 30, 2011, 3:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yeah really the only reminders of expo too - unless you count the old expo benches found in various parks in the suburbs, theres not too much left physically of expo

Don't forget the McBarge, slowly rotting away in the Burrard Inlet

. I'd love to see that restored and moored in False Creek.

It will be interesting to see what they've done with the interior of Science World, I haven't been since 2009, but I recall it looking quite shabby.

agrant · #99 Posted **Apr 30, 2011, 8:40 PM**

I know of at least one Expo pavilion that was moved into an industrial location in New Westminster. You can see it as you drive along Stewardson Way. Not something you'd want to keep around on the old Expo site... I'm sure several others are scattered around and used in a similar manner. Science World, Canada Place, BC Place were the only iconic buildings worth sticking around.

hollywoodnorth · #**100** Posted **May 1, 2011, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by agrant

I know of at least one Expo pavilion that was moved into an industrial location in New Westminster. You can see it as you drive along Stewardson Way. Not something you'd want to keep around on the old Expo site... I'm sure several others are scattered around and used in a similar manner. Science World, Canada Place, BC Place were the only iconic buildings worth sticking around.

I made a post about this a while back and located all of them in the Metro Vancouver area

North Surrey, Delta, New West and a few other cities have them still