Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Michael Elkan
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
Lighting fixturesMP Lighting
CarpetInterface
PaintBenjamin Moore
LightingCDM2
GlazingCraftsman Glazing
Millwork, slattingPrecisionwerkz Inc

Product Spec Sheet
Lighting fixtures
Carpet
Paint
Lighting
by CDM2
Glazing
Millwork, slatting

Architectural Institute of British Columbia Renovations

RSAAW as Architects

Major renovation of interior spaces within the headquarters of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia in downtown Vancouver, BC.

When confronted with a heritage renovation, the first instinct can be to preserve or return to the building’s original state at all costs, but in some cases subsequent interventions should be respected and celebrated and a balance found between the two. In the case of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), the original building was designed circa 1910 by A.A. Cox and underwent a sizable renovation by Busby + Associates Architects and an interior intervention by Roger Hughes + Partners in the 1990s. To then come in to lead a 21st century renovation, not to mention undertaking this under the gaze of peers while ensuring the uninterrupted operations of the institute, was a challenging and daunting task.

The project comprised a three-part major interior renovation. Three phases were completed within three years and three permits, staggered to accommodate the ongoing operations. Starting in 2017, part one involved the demolition of a previous tenant’s space and a renovation and expansion of the AIBC gallery. Parts two and three were focused on workspace renovations, starting in 2018 and completed in early 2020, just before pandemic closure.

The primary goal with the intervention was to respect the language of the existing spaces while adding maximum flexibility and performance capacity. The Institute required an extension of the atrium gallery space for public gatherings and a considerable reconfiguration of lower-level workspaces to accommodate the AIBC’s growing workforce. The second level also demanded a rethinking of the conference room to make way for more workspaces.

Making the gallery a truly multipurpose space suggested taking advantage of the existing structure to attach a secondary steel frame that adapts to the atrium fenestration and supports a system of foldable partitions. These movable walls allow the gallery to operate as an open space with partitions neatly stowed away, or be divided into a lecture room, a grand assembly space, or smaller break-out rooms. The wall concealing the foldable partitions also hosts all the mechanical systems running above, as well as the furniture for all layouts. The glass and steel complement the previously exposed structural system of the general assembly room across the atrium, while wood slatting is introduced as a finish to conceal mechanical systems and to accentuate the frame of the glazed atrium.

Prolonging the longevity of the interiors through the capacity of morphing layouts reflects the building’s historical evolution, as we learn how adaptability continues to be a core principle of sustainability. Through this flexible adaptation to changing programming needs, the AIBC is assured a workspace that respects its heritage and embraces the future.

 

Material used :
1. Protech Welding, structural steel
2. Dion Custom Metal, structural steel
3. CDM2, Lighting
4. MP Lighting, Lighting fixtures
5. Sistema Lux, Lighting fixtures
6. Precision Werkz, Millwork, slatting
7. CP Distributors, Glass and wood foldable partitions
8. Pogon Painting, painting
9. Trendz Painting, painting
10. Interface, carpet
11. Craftsman Glazing, 100 glazing
12. Dynamo Drywall, Drywall
13. Sea to Sky Removal, Recycling
14. Progressive Asbestos Solutions, asbestos abatement
15. Island Glass and Mirror, 210 Glazing
16. Benajmin Moore, Paint
17. Hot Electric, Electrical
18. Design One Mechanical, HVAC
19. Cove Mechanical, Fire Suppression
20. Westcor Thermal, Fireproof coatings
21. Knights Insulation, Acoustic Insulation
22. Westcoast T-bar, Drop ceilings

Project Credits
Architects
Progressive Asbestos Solutions
Structural Engineering
Fire Suppression
Products used in this project
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