BC Place Renovation
Vancouver, B.C.
Year in Showcase: 2012
Project Description
For more than 25 years, BC Place has been a Vancouver icon. As the largest events facility of its kind in the province, BC Place has hosted more than 26 million people since opening in 1983 — including the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies. However, without a major renovation, it was difficult for the venue to keep pace with the changing world of sports and entertainment.
An aggressive rebranding of all public spaces in the building resulted in 55 new suites designed from the bottom up in a variety of sizes, as well as a new club seating section with lounges. All concessions areas were upgraded with new equipment and facades, all restrooms were refurbished in vibrant colors, and a new signage and wayfinding system was implemented throughout.
Post-Olympics, major work began on the replacement of the roof, as well as lighting, video and audio upgrades. Design elements that add a transparent guest experience include the replacement of precast concrete on all exit-ramp landings with glass to allow views and sunlight into the main circulation routes. On the concourse levels, the concrete structure remained a dominant element, albeit with the addition of colorful signage, vibrant restroom entries and upscale concessions areas.
The signature new roof required a highly engineered solution that could be installed onto an existing structure. The exposed steel was finished in an off-white shade with a high-performance coating.
Judges' Comments
Heroic, iconic, colorful, urbane and appropriate.
— Stefanie Greenfield, Cambridge Seven Associates
A tremendous revitalization of a building that has become a bold, urban icon. It really stands out in the city skyline and at street level.
— Jack Patton, RDG Planning & Design
The integration of lighting really took what was one kind of program and changed it into a piece of public art.
— Viktors Jaunkalns, MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
Project Details
Architect Of Record: Stantec
Associate Architect: Cannon Design
Seating Capacity: 55,000
Construction Cost: $430 million (Canadian)
Occupancy: September 2011
Vendors
Football Goal Posts:
Kwik Goal Ltd.
Lockers: Shanahan's Manufacturing
Scoreboards: Ts Sports
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Bradley Corp.
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Hadrian Inc.
Soccer Goals:
Kwik Goal Ltd.
