Bill MacEwen / Blog

Back in August I was approached by a local developer to expand WorkSpace into a building downtown. I looked extensively at the proposal, but ultimately turned it down. In the mean time though, I developed a good relationship with the company. They were still looking for a solution for the building, so I took on the job of project manager.

My objective was to take the 1950’s 5 storey building, which had gone through innumberable mickey mouse renovations over the years, and turn it into a series of big open contemporary spaces where people would want to work. The approach was to reveal the building’s slab structure, and frame it as a feature. I quickly hired David and Heather to develop a design for the units.Over the last ten months, the building has undergone extensive interior demolition, code, and infrastructure upgrades. The waffle slab (ish) ceiling revealed itself to be rich in texture. The concrete and aggregate had oozed through the forming in places, leaving an almost creepy appearance in its original grey color.

We started spraying the ceiling white, and putting in new washrooms. B+H carried a half inch reveal around the door jams and between the ceiling and drywall. The floor was ground down and given a fresh epoxy coat andfinally the heater grills were replaced with a new MDF design that really gave the space character.

Right now the office portion of the building is nearly complete, with lobby and entry work pending. The designs that have been developed for those areas are truly striking, but they’re still in the approval process so I can’t say much. Except for that they’ll make a landmark out of a building that 10 months ago was falling apart.
455Granville.wordpress.com

Great post at Beyond Robson.

Now, as we approach the end of the monumental Podium Tower boom, it is becoming increasingly important that we incent land owners and developers to undertake these small restoration projects and reintroduce architectural diversity to the city. The Dal Grauer building is clearly overdue!

Quicksliver has or had some adds up that, depending on your point of view, make an awesome contribution to the city scape. Of the series, my fave is the bus-stop 1/4, makes you want to get your Tony Hawk on, firstlife style.

In all seriousness though it raises some questions about fun in an urban context. Our cities take themselves too seriously. What if there were little slides for kids spread throughout the city?  Instead of relegating skate parks to certain areas why couldn’t we just have a ramp here and there? I’d like to see a city that encourages exploration and interaction. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Bentall got a density bonus for putting a 1/4 up the side of the building! Or how about just not capping the benches…maybe we should start with that.

The Beaver., originally uploaded by MacEwen.

Article questioning Iconic architecture and proposing, perhaps, a subtler more economics practice.

“I personally resent, for example, two billion dollars being spent on a subway station in New York City that looks like a bird. I have no idea why a subway station should either look like a bird or cost two billion dollars” -Eisenman

lives here.

Non penthouse units at 1010 Howe = from 478
Lululemon Eco Ultra yoga mat = 18 square feet

Thanks Ian…nice article.

Contemporary art museum going up in the Bowery.  Site is definitely worth a look…up to the minute image captures of constructuion etc.

W., originally uploaded by MacEwen.

Goodbye Green Grass., originally uploaded by MacEwen.

Addressed to:
MLA: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan
Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
via: jenny.kwan.mla@leg.bc.ca

Mrs. Kwan,

As a resident and business owner within your constituency, I am writing to inform you of my position regarding the Gateway Project. Previous highway expansions in other cities have provided temporary relief to congestion, but have had a neutral or negative effect on commute times in the long run. Furthermore, they promote the use of single passenger vehicles and thus move against our stated goals of reducing our environmental impact.

I trust that as my representative, you will take my position into consideration. I request that you promote a light rail alternative to the twinning of the Port Mann bridge as it will lessen our impact on the environment and continue to promote density and sustainability within the Lower Mainland.

Sincerely,

Bill MacEwen

WorkSpace | 21 Water St.
http://abetterplacetowork.com
778.891.2455