‘Clam’ roof plan for Vancouver’s Robson Square irks architects

Plans to erect a wooden roof over Vancouver’s Robson Square require more public information about the project, says the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).

Public Spaces

Plans to erect a wooden roof over Vancouver’s Robson Square require more public information about the project, says the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).

British Columbia’s Premier Gordon Campbell and his government hope to build a giant wooden roof over the landmark square in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The square was designed by famed architect Arthur Erickson and is the site of the Provincial Law Courts, UBC Robson Square, government office buildings and public space connected to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

RAIC issued an initial response to the reported plans, which provided limited information on the project for Robson Square, in an open letter to Campbell distributed to various media outlets.

“I describe Robson Square as an architectural landmark because of its uniqueness as an architectural and an urban design solution, the numerous awards it has received worldwide, and because of its architect, Arthur Erickson,” stated Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, RAIC president, in the letter to Campbell.

A Vancouver Sun columnist reported late last week that plans were “circulating inside the provincial cabinet” about the roof over the square.

The roof was described as “a secret project” being fast-tracked by Campbell himself and “only a select few have yet seen it.”

RAIC confirmed that the column was the only information on the project made available to it at the time of the letter’s creation.

“The artist’s drawings I’ve seen bring to mind a giant wooden clamshell arching between the steps of the art gallery and Erickson’s famous waterfall, covering Robson Street,” wrote the columnist. RAIC is concerned with the reversibility, appropriateness and sustainability of the roof structure and called for a consultation process involving the public and the architectural community.

“Landmark buildings, just like designated historic structures, deserve due process to ensure that significant design changes respect and enhance the building,” added Matsuzaki in his letter.

RAIC was not able yet to confirm the size and scope of the roof project and was in the process of gathering information and studying initial feedback to the letter.