Design Quarterly - Fall 2011

FALL 2011 Vol. 12 No.2

Q U A R T E R L Y

PM

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ShowcaSing Bc & alBerta’S architectS and interior deSignerS

idibc awards of excellencearchitect gene dub | kitchen & bath

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Coquitlam1338 United Boulevard

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Edmonton18511-104 Avenue

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Calgary4120 Blackfoot Trail SE

403.245.8637

Penticton240 Industrial Avenue

250.492.2000

Saskatoon829-46 Street E306.664.2389

Kamloops830 Laval Crescent

250.372.7738

Winnipeg1760 Ellice Ave.

204.784.0111

Brandon420 Van Horne Avenue

204.725.1968

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fall 2011 | design QuarterlY 3

:::::::kitchen & bath

PUBLISHERDan Gnocato

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MANAGING EDItoRCheryl Mah

GRAPHIC DESIGN tang Creative Inc.

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Q U A R T E R L Y

FALL 2011 Vol. 12 No.2

www.designquarterly.ca

the purpose of Design Quarterly is to reflect and represent practitioners and professionals in the architectural, interior design and design resource communities throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

PRoUD SPoNSoR oF

contents

06 DESIGNER PRoFILE Gene Dub Gene Dub, a well known and respected architect in Edmonton, has helped to shape much of the city for more than four decades.

09 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENt IDIBC Awards of Excellence

28 Kitchen & Bath Honed Stone and Creative Countertops Fall “touches” for the Kitchen & Bath the Modern Kitchen the Ensuite takes Centre Stage Enriching the Guest Experience

FEAtURES

On the cOver: Xthum designed by Public Architecture and Communication Design won IDIBC Best in Show. Nic Lehoux Photography.

DEPARtMENtS04 From the Editor

35 IDA Modern Efficiency through technology

36 Architects in BC 5 Percent for the Planet

38 Design Headlines

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Balneo Sanos by BainUltra - With its refined design, this collection invites you to unwind in your own special space as time stands still and cares drift away. Our luxury plumbing design consultants use their knowledge and expertise to guide your special project.

Vancouver2285 Cambie Street

604.879.2494

Coquitlam1338 United Boulevard

604.523.6555

Edmonton18511-104 Avenue

780.453.5714

Calgary4120 Blackfoot Trail SE

403.245.8637

Penticton240 Industrial Avenue

250.492.2000

Saskatoon829-46 Street E306.664.2389

Kamloops830 Laval Crescent

250.372.7738

Winnipeg1760 Ellice Ave.

204.784.0111

Brandon420 Van Horne Avenue

204.725.1968

robinson_lighting_bath_dq_bainu_20111019.indd 1 10/19/2011 3:31:06 PM

FEBRUARY 8 & 9, 2012

MARCH 20 & 21, 2012

NoVEMBER 6 & 7, 2012

design QuarterlY | fall 20114

from the editor::::::: :::::::

creative solutions

finding creative solutions is a big part of what architects and designers do every day. More often than not, practitioners and firms are asked to find innovative ways to do more with less. Case in point

is this year’s Best in Show winner at the Interior De-sign Institute of B.C.’s (IDIBC) Awards of Excellence.

Public Architecture + Communication Design was able to transform a small classroom into an inviting and engaging gathering place for aborigi-nal students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Gracing our cover, Xthum succeeds on many levels and delivers to the client group the flexible space originally desired. The incredible transformation illustrates smart cutting edge design is attainable within a restrictive space and budget.

Xthum is one of six gold winners honoured by IDIBC this September. Another 29 projects were recognized with silver and bronze. The gala was moved to the fall (from its traditional spring date) to coincide with the IDSWest show and by all ac-counts, it was a great success.

All the gold winners are highlighted in the follow-ing pages of this issue. A complete list of winners can be found on our website at www.designquarterly.ca

For our profile, we speak with Edmonton ar-chitect Gene Dub. Best known for his design of the city’s iconic city hall, he has dedicated much of his time and talent to shaping and revitalizing the downtown core. His efforts at both making and preserving history for the city were recognized with his induction into the Edmonton Hall of Fame ear-lier this year.

This issue also contains our popular kitchen and bath feature. We asked two designers to take a look at residential and hospitality bath trends. In the kitchen, we highlight countertops, cabinetry and technology.

Finally, read about what architect Richard Iredale’s firm is doing to make a difference for the future. As climate change and greenhouse gas emissions worsen, the building community can do its part by committing to renewable energy and water conservation strategies.

Cheryl Mah Managing Editor

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designer profile:::::::

renowned architect Gene Dub, 67, has earned a reputation for unique designs and a vision for Edmonton that has helped to shape much of the city for more

than four decades.His contributions to the city, particularly in

the downtown core, have resulted in numer-ous local, national and international awards. The most recent accolade is a 2011 Interna-tional Architecture Awards for the Jasper Place Branch Library (with associate archi-tects HCMA in Vancouver).

“We are interested in creating distinc-tive architecture,” says Dub about his firm’s work. “Architecture should have some pride involved and distinctive architecture is quite important in developing a sense of pride.”

Established in 1975, Dub Architects is a full service firm with extensive experience in commercial, residential and institutional projects. The firm’s team of 10 experienced professionals emphasize design excellence that reflects the specific needs of each client.

“To be a good architect, I think you’ve got to be able to get into other people’s skin so you can see things from their point of view. It’s almost like being an actor,” explains Dub. “It’s important to remember architec-ture, unlike art, is not formed for the sake of form. It’s really the idea of solving a problem for use by other people. So my philosophy is always to try to understand who the other people are and design both with them and for them.”

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A significant portion of the firm’s port-folio consist of residential (condo conver-sions) and historic restoration and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings. The firm is best known for its work on some of Alberta’s most prominent buildings including the iconic Edmonton City Hall. Others include Capital Health Centre, Seventh Street Lofts and the McLeod Building.

Dub’s revival of the historic Alberta Ho-tel on Jasper Avenue is his latest endeavour to reclaim local heritage. The once stately building, torn down in 1984 to make way for Canada Place, is being rebuilt as a four-sto-rey landmark near its original location in the downtown core.

“We are using all of the original stones, bricks and cornices that were stored away and forgotten until about five years ago,” says Dub. “It’s creating a lot of excitement and the most positive feedback I’ve ever re-ceived on a building.”

Other current projects include a pavilion (made out of scaffolding) for Metropolis, the city’s new winter festival in Churchill Square; and the conversion of a historic former brew-ery into a boutique hotel in the river valley.

“In Edmonton, unlike Vancouver, the river’s edge has not been well designed for use by the public. We’re hoping to do that with this proj-ect,” says Dub. “We want to convert the brewery into a hotel and add a couple of hundred hous-ing units with shops at ground level. Right now if you want to buy a drink or ice cream, you have to go all the way to the top of the river valley.”

distinctive architecture

The firm also recently won a national de-sign competition for a city park pavilion. It was one of five winning firms with its concept for a Net Zero pavilion at Mill Woods Sports Park. The unusual design features a tree like sculpture consisting of solar collectors.

“We’ve been pretty successful at competi-tions. I think competitions are important to a practice to keep enthusiasm about design high,” says Dub.

Projects are predominantly located in Edmonton but the firm has done projects as far as Saskatoon. A condo conversion there called the 2nd Avenue Lofts is another award winning project. The firm purchased an abandoned Hudson Bay store there and transformed it into 130 two storey lofts with commercial use at grade. Almost the entire 1960 building was retained. It’s a good ex-ample of the firm’s commitment for adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

“We don’t look to build just condomini-ums. We look for an opportunity to use an older building. So almost of all of our projects involve an older building,” says Dub. “When we do any heritage architecture we try to be faithful to the building’s original design. But if we add anything to it, we do it with a mod-ernist style so you can easily see what is au-thentically old and what is new.”

Born and raised in Edmonton, it’s not surprising that Dub has such a deep affinity with the city and has dedicated so much of his time to its development. But architecture wasn’t his first career choice.

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::::::: :::::::designer profile

“I actually didn’t entertain the idea of ar-chitecture until I was in university,” recalls Dub, who initially studied psychology/sociol-ogy at the University of Alberta. “Somebody suggested I go into architecture because math and physics were my best subjects and I kind of had an interest in art. So I took a couple of art courses and fell in love with it. The combination of those three influences — psychology, math and art ended up being a really good background for architecture.”

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1965, he attended the School of Architecture at UBC. An important influence in his early career was working one summer for Arthur Erickson where he studied under Bruno Freschi.

He would then return to Edmonton and while working for Jim Wensley Architects, he entered his first design competition for the Alberta Government Centre. His third prize win ($5,000) for the competition in 1975 was enough for him to strike out on his own.

“At that time I was already quite interested in city planning as well as architecture. Al-most on a dare, I ran for alderman and got elected,” says Dub, who served on council from 1977-1980. “But I found running a prac-tice — at that time 20 people — and being an alderman at the same time was pretty taxing.”

While politics wasn’t for Dub, his time sit-ting as a director of the Old Strathcona Foun-dation would spark his interest in preserving and restoring old buildings.

Winning his second national compe-tition for the Edmonton City Hall was key to establishing the firm. Completed in 1992, the steel and glass pyramid building has proven to be an urban de-sign success, particularly because of the innovative city room and flexible out-door plaza.

“The city room wasn’t in the original budget but we put forth the idea and it has turned out to be very successful,” says Dub. “I’m probably most proud of that building because of the effectiveness of the city room in promoting the cultural and political life of the city.”

Since then, the firm has grown and excelled. The majority of their projects are for other clients, but Dub estimates they spend about 40 per cent of their time developing their own projects.

The firm has developed about 20 buildings to date. Most are small scale residential projects, under $20 million, involving renovations and additions to existing or historic buildings.

Being able to develop your own proj-ect, according to Dub, offers “more de-sign freedom” and an opportunity to take on interesting projects that traditional developers might not.

“When you buy a building, you don’t have to compromise your own ideas of what should happen with it. If you’re working for someone else, they’re usually very motivated by profit. If we break even and end up with an interesting project, we’re happy,” he says.

Development projects have also helped to the keep the firm busy over the years. “If we’re ever slow, then we do a building for ourselves. I think that has kept our juices flowing, excit-ed us about architecture and kept us profit-able,” says Dub, noting as a rule the firm sells its condo buildings.

Dub’s business acumen also extends to owning a brewery with last year’s opening of Yellowhead Brewing. Located in the historic 1913 Shaw Building, the building was origi-nally a cigar factory which the firm renovated in 2005.

Dub currently owns several sites down-town and hopes to contribute to the urban renewal needed in the area.

“I think downtown Edmonton has been neglected and it needs as much as help as it can get. Providing that we can continue to get growth here, Edmonton is in a position to turn around in a large way and we hope to be a part of that,” says Dub.

Downtown Edmonton requires infill de-velopment to create a sustainable and vibrant city and Dub sees that beginning to hap-pen. “There are also some large important

projects that are going to happen — the air-port in downtown will be converted into a new sustainable community, the Royal Al-berta Museum looks like it is going ahead and perhaps we’ll get a new hockey arena.”

Dub would also like to see a school of ar-chitecture in Edmonton. It’s the largest city in Canada without one.

“We need a school so there’s a constant dialogue with the public about good local architecture. Without a school, you don’t seem to get that dialogue,” he says. “If we had a school here we would be able to sat-isfy our architectural needs better than by sending local students away, including my own kids.”

Two of his three children are architects. His son Michael, now with the firm, is a graduate of New York City’s Cooper Union School of Architecture. His daughter Claire recently graduated from the Columbia School of Architecture.

“I’m hoping to persuade her to come back to Edmonton,” says Dub.

His wife Eva Bartel was also an architect, who at one time was a partner in the firm.

“We used to have some pretty interesting discussions about colour. But she left the profession in 1995 to become a painter and she’s much happier as a painter than an ar-chitect… partly because I can’t tell her what to do anymore,” laughs Dub.

Earlier this year, his efforts at both making and preserving history for the city were rec-ognized with his induction into the Edmon-ton Hall of Fame.

“It was gratifying because you do this work and you’re not sure if anyone’s appreciating it,” says Dub.

After more than 40 years, he remains hands on with projects and enjoys the design aspect of architecture and working directly with a client towards creating a concept.

“I still enjoy drawing by hand rather than by computer. If I haven’t sketched a build-ing for a week, I have to go sketch something else,” he says with a chuckle.

When Dub is not at work, he travels with his wife on painting adventures around North America.

“She gutted an RV, redesigned it and re-built it as an artist studio so every year we take off for several weeks and go paint some part of North America,” says Dub. “Every sec-ond weekend, we go to the Rockies and paint. It’s become a major part of our lives. I’m not a professional painter but I love it.”

As for the future, his plans are to stay active in the business.

“I would like to practice for another 10 years but if I see myself not performing to the same level as in the past, then I think I’ll let someone else take over,” he says. DQ

Capital Health

Centre

Friday, September 30, 2011Room 220 - Vancouver Convention Centre West

Hosted by Erica Sigurdson. Music by Mimosa.

Doors 5:30pm Awards Presentation 6:30

Champagne Reception to follow

Please RSVP by September 20, 2011

Visit www.idibc.org to obtain RSVP form. Tickets are limited.

Students $30 Members & Industry Members $60 Non Members $75Judges: Anita L. Degen, Degen & Degen Architecture and Interior Design, Darlene

Jurow, Jurow Design Associates, Melinda Sechrist, Sechrist Design Associates Inc.

10idibc awards of excellence

special supplement idibc awards of excellence gold


Change can be positive and change can create anxious moments. And so it was with this year’s IDIBC Awards of Ex-cellence Gala. The board’s decision to

move the gala from its annual spring occurrence to a fall date in conjunction with IDSWest was not one made without doubts. ‘Spring fling’ has a cer-tain resonance — ‘fall fling’ not so much. Would we be able to maintain the gala energy that has been building over the previous years?

With 66 entries, the lively music of Mimosa in the lounge and renowned Canadian comedian Er-ica Sigurdson as our snappy MC, we surpassed all expectations. Congratulations to all gold, silver and bronze award winners.

The IDSWest show floor extended the celebra-tion of great design present at the Awards Gala by offering IDI’s Awards committee an opportunity to stage the inaugural Peoples Choice Awards.

Presentation boards of all gold award winners were displayed on the IDSWest show floor and the public was invited to vote for their favourite project. After several recounts, a three-way tie was declared. Congratulations to the People’s Choice winners: Goldcorp Centre for the Arts by Proscenium Architecture and Interiors Inc./CEI Architec-ture; ORU Restaurant and Fairmont Florist both by Mcfarlane Green Biggar Architecture + Design Inc.

The Awards Gala celebrates excellence in interior design in B.C. I personally, however, was celebrating something more.

From my perch on the stage I looked out on the crowd and saw not just IDIBC award entrants and recipients, design members and ever-supportive in-dustry members, but members of a strengthening united national interior design community.

It has been more than a year since, under the care-ful watch of then president Sally Mills, IDIBC along with the other provincial member organizations of IDC embarked upon organizational restructuring with IDC becoming the design community’s nation-al voice of advocacy. A week prior to IDIBC’s awards ceremony, I was in Toronto attending IIDEX and meeting with the seven other provincial design as-sociation presidents and directors at IDC. There was determination in the air, consensus and optimism. We are moving forward, there is change afoot, and

the future for the professional interior design community in Canada is shining as brightly as this year’s awards gala.

Enough thank you’s cannot be said when an event this grand is planned solely by volunteers. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this year’s awards.

The ink has barely dried on this year’s awards certificates and al-ready the awards committee has called a meeting to discuss next year’s gala event. 2012 — we are ready for you and whatever changes and challenges you bring our way.

Alyssa MyshokPresident, Interior Designers Institute of B.C.

positive Change

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Located at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Surrey cam-pus, the goal of this new Aboriginal Gathering Place was to create a warm and inviting environment tailored to Ab-original students for gathering, celebrating, storytelling,

studying and relaxing.Working with local representatives of Kwantlen, Semiahmoo,

Tsawwassen and Katzie Nations, Public Architecture + Communica-tion Design transformed a small classroom into a flexible multipur-pose space that successfully fosters a sense of place and identity for Aboriginal students on campus.

“Historically there have been recruitment and retention challenges with First Nations students so this was a strategic initiative on the part of the provincial government and the university. There are other ones being built at other universities,” says Brian Wakelin, a principal at the firm.

In the search for solutions to the constraints of the small space, the design team found inspiration and a design concept revolving around the use of a basket like weave pattern for wall-scapes and ceil-ing elements. It’s used effectively to conceal the original room while referencing native tradition, delivering much more than the long-house originally envisioned by the client group.

The 25 ft x 30 ft classroom is in a concrete block building with a standard t-bar ceiling with no ceiling height and no ability to exca-vate down, recalls Wakelin, so it became a “logical idea that we would obscure any references to the conventional restraints of the room.”

“The building is so wonderfully banal that it’s a perfect foil to this tiny jewel,” he adds.

The woven cedar ceiling-scape not only helps to define the various zones but undulates around the room, creating highs and lows to add drama in the space.

The woodwork uses small dimension lumber and was fabricated off site. The use of a contemporary construction and fabrication methodology to create the cedar wood elements is a fitting expres-sion of First Nations culture and contemporary architecture. It also resonates with the modern post-secondary institution setting.

Using a digitally driven “building without drawings approach,” a succession of computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) produced prototypes were eventually used to create the intricate weave form that defines the space.

“We took our computer files and gave them directly to a wood fab-ricator who translated all of the files into plywood templates — each one was numbered and quite specifically located within the room,” explains Wakelin.

Once brought onto the site, templates were laid directly on the floor and carefully mapped out prior to installation. The inner cedar lathe was hand applied on site which allowed for coordination with mechanical and electrical services.

“The lath is vertical in orientation when it comes down the skylight and it’s meant to allude to rain, landscape and water — all which resonate with the four nations,” says Wakelin.

A new skylight and exterior entry was incorporated into the room to evoke connections to the sky and forest.

“The room is at the end of a long double loaded corridor so we broke through the end of the corridor with a little new vestibule to build a connection to an existing stand of trees beyond,” says Wake-lin, adding the skylight draws natural daylight down into the space.

In addition, a wall connecting the classroom to the corridor was removed in order to create connectivity to the campus as a whole.

a sense of pLaCeBY CHERYL MAH | PHotoS NIC LEHoUX

location: surrey, B.C.design team: Brian Wakelin, John Wall, Matty scolozzi, Chris forrest, David ZeibinSquare footage: 1,000

BeSt oF Show XthUM, Kwantlen polytechnic University – public architecture + Communication Design

Public Architecture + Communication Design transformed a small classroom into a flexible multipurpose space that successfully fosters a sense of place and identity for Aboriginal students on campus.



Other renovations included lighting and win-dow upgrades, new finishes and furnishings.

Because fire is important to the First Nations group for social, historical and cultural reasons, a fireplace acts as the key anchor for the modest space. The multi-purpose room includes computer stations, digital projection for group activities, tables for studying or feasts and a simple kitchen. Soft seating allows for students to have informal discussions as well as for el-ders to continue the strong oral tradition of storytelling.

Completed in October 2009 and officially opened in May 2010, Xthum (meaning bas-ket and drum) has been well received by the client group and the students. The design team was able to execute smart space plan-ning to overcome a desired program far too big for the space.

“We love projects like that — paring it back to what’s essential and what’s the absolute minimum programmatically that will do the most,” says Wakelin. “We found a scheme where it did really get pared back to the ab-solute minimum but when you look at, it doesn’t look it at all.”

Although the design team anticipated challenges with the innovative ceiling/wall design, it was executed as planned.

“As it turned out, it was the conventional building construction details that for what-ever reason went slightly sideways or had its peculiarities,” says Wakelin with a laugh.

The innovative project has earned the firm several awards to date, the most recent being awarded Best in Show and a gold award at this year’s IDIBC Award of Excellence. Not bad for the firm’s first commission.

“We feel really lucky and were very sur-prised at winning, especially for Best in Show,” says Wakelin.

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the project is an approximately 10,500 square foot holi-day home for the client. The design goal for the private single family home was to create a resort hotel like en-vironment including indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, exer-

cise and lounging room. The house explores a contemporary West Coast style with extensive use of wood and natural stone to inte-grate with the landscape.

The firm was involved with both the architectural and interior de-signs. The team oversaw many aspects including the programming, spacing planning, millwork as well as other areas such as art work, countertops and windows.

Energy efficiency was achieved through spray foam insulation, high performance windows, high efficiency gas boiler, hydronic heat-ing in concrete floor topping. Other features included heat recovery ventilation, indoor pool cover to prevent moisture evaporation. Large windows allowed for an abundant amount of natural light.

During the design approval phase, the project changed owner-ship. The changes requested by the new owner posed some creative challenges to minimize delays with the permits. The firm however successfully delivered the project through some guesswork (since the client was often out of contact due to their busy schedule) and last minute changes.

reSidential private Residence Kingston John henshaw architecture inc.

reSidential private Residence — BYU Design

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: John henshaw, Joy Chao, Kathy ChengSquare footage: 10,500Photo: Janice nicolay

location: Upper Lonsdale, B.C.design team: Cheryl Broadhead, ada BoniniSquare footage: 3,200Photographer: ema peter

a complete renovation and addition (only structure and partial shell was retained) was done on this approxi-mately 3,200 square foot private residence in North Vancouver. The home represents the personality of the

family who lives there — bright, cheerful, and open for play and entertainment, blending mid century modern with a west coast aesthetic. The objective was to have an open plan that flowed, while creating privacy and quiet zones, all the while respecting and appreciating the amazing view. Stuart Howard Architects was the architectural firm on this project, which completed in Sep-tember 2009.

Two major challenges affected the outcome of the project. The first was creating a bright plan while retaining and creating new structure. By opening the south wall and adding structural beams (that appear like coffers), the ceiling could be raised and a win-dow wall could be added to the brighter south side of the home. Secondly, halfway during construction a new bedroom needed to be planned.

Judges comments:“Arrival experience achieved, hotel like,

it established a vocabulary and used it well. An “ah-ha” experience, something new.”

Judges Comments:“Love the cubby wall, great feature — gives dimension

and storage. It works as a whole... great balance.”

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the client’s objective was to create a marketing centre with a commanding cultural presence indicative of the Asian com-munity. The design concept references Chinese cultural ele-ments throughout including the five elements, floral inspired

logo and fretwork lattice design. The centre featured one and two bed-room display suites, viewing gallery, building models, landscaped gar-dens, water features, closing rooms and a private dining room.

The design incorporates accessible washrooms and the main gal-lery floor has two glass-closing pavilions, one with stairs and one without in a creative layout that doesn’t compromise the design and accessibility. The logo design was incorporated into custom furniture and lighting pendants that float over the glass pavilions.

One of the main challenges was to get the building up to construc-tion and occupancy standards as it had been neglected for several years. The roof had holes in it and mould and water had accumulated throughout. The co-ordination and management of several creative consultants also proved to be challenging.

Environmental considerations included reusing the existing build-ing as a presentation centre for phases I, II, III. FSC engineered wood veneer, hardwood flooring and LED lighting were used under curved graphic walls. Existing ceiling tiles and the majority of exist-ing windows were retained.

MUlti-reSidential Quintet Marketing Centre — BBa Design Consultants

location: Richmond, B.C.design team: sharon Bortolotto, Madeline eng, Brigido Lidbut, Jennifer Brown, tyra Moorcroft Square footage: 7,684Photo: ema peter

Judges Comments:“Cultural references are interpreted in a way that is subtle.

Very successful in meeting the client’s goal.”

worKPlace total Rennie art gallery + offices Mcfarlane green Biggar architecture + Design

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Michelle Biggar, Michael green, susan scott, tracey Mactavish, hozumi nakaiSquare footage: 16,653Photo: nic Lehoux

the Rennie Art Gallery and Offices is a very successful adap-tive re-use project of two of Vancouver’s oldest buildings. The strength of the interior spaces is in their ability to honestly express the building’s structure and history while

framing a contemporary language of details and material.The conservation and restoration project encompasses both an

original six-storey laneway brick building and its adjacent three-story street-front structure in Chinatown. The program combined a private gallery with an office. The essence of the design approach was simplicity where the architecture respectfully allows the collection to shine.

This project is an example of the firm’s environmental mandate for adaptive reuse over new build: to build only when and what is necessary. In addition, wood from the building was reclaimed and repurposed throughout the project into doors, washroom partitions, meeting tables and reception millwork.

The team was challenged to marry two very distinct and separate programs that were not to overlap within an existing shell. In ad-dition, revitalizing two of Vancouver’s oldest buildings posed many challenges where the design had to adapt and evolve to suit complex site conditions.

With its seamless blending of old and new, it sets a new standard in adaptive re-use.

Judges Comments:“Contemporary and elegant space. technically savvy details.

Good reuse, they know what they’ve got. I’m impressed because it’s hard to create interiors.”

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hoSPitalitY earls Restaurant, Bellevuee + Design and Construction

location: Bellevue, Washingtondesign team: Marlis Joller, elly Chronakis, tara RobertsonSquare footage: 9,000Photo: ed White photography

Located at Lincoln Square in downtown Bellevue, this new 9,000 square foot restaurant marks the debut of Canadian based Earls in Washington. As the first Earls to open in Bel-levue, the design team took the opportunity to introduce

a West Coast style. The expansive open plan space features a clean, contemporary design by E + Design and Construction. Warmth is created in the well appointed interior by mixing large visual features with intimate dining pockets and exposing the kitchen to express their ‘kitchen is soul’ motto.

Sliding windows were installed to maximize daylight and ventila-tion. LED lights were used as general lighting and a Lutron dimming panel was installed to control light levels. Washrooms feature low consumption toilets/urinals and automatic hand dryers. Carpet and floor tile throughout contain recycled content. Kitchen equipment is Energy Star where possible.

The biggest challenge was making the enormous space with 28 foot high ceilings feel warm and inviting. Ceiling heights also posed a chal-lenge with lighting especially with Bellevue’s tight wattage restrictions. LED lights were used wherever possible to reduce wattage amounts.

The design team successfully delivers a contemporary West Coast style restaurant that is comfortable and upscale. The project was completed in October 2009.

MUlti-reSidential Caban — insight Design group

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: allisa Karvonen, Kari henshawSquare footage: 1,800

the Caban presentation centre, built by Cressey Develop-ments, is located in the heart of Kelowna across from one of the city’s best beaches. The Insight Design Group team was involved with the interior as well as the exterior de-

sign of the building. The clean, contemporary lines of the interior details and finishes reflect the minimalist design of the future mid rise building and set the project apart from other developments in the area. The design was driven by the casual, resort like feel to the neighborhood and the marketing direction of the project. The com-bination of textured sandstone floors, clean white walls and warm wood veneers used on the interior as well as the exterior were in-spired by the colours and textures found in its beach setting. The two storey presentation area features clerestory lighting allowing a flood of natural light into the space and a full height slatted wood feature wall creates a private area for the two closing offices in the back of the space. The closing office furnishings and drywall “canopies” above each table were detailed to appear like beachside cabanas to further reference the lake and poolside living being marketed.

Judges Comments:“the design is knitted together well. Very clean lines.

Successful in carrying the design throughout.”

Judges Comments:“the light is art and it works. Love the onyx stripes repeating and washroom hallway. took a high volume space made it

feel warm. Well executed and exciting.”

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Located in New Westminster, the client’s vision was for an urban cafe combining a fresh nature inspired feel with a sophisticated edge. To achieve this, bright greens pop were used against a palette of silver, black and zebrawood. In-

novative materials such as a black lacquer stretched ceiling, ribbon glass counters and a wave slate wall were also incorporated.

The exterior features a beautifully back–lit sign, brick wall graph-ics, and frosted window vinyl impact.

Fitting the program requirements into 967 square feet was a challenge for the design team. Despite the constraint every square inch was thought out and has a purpose. Playing with ceiling planes helped define areas and create a feeling of spaciousness.

hoSPitalitY Quantum Deli Bistro — stem interior Design

hoSPitalitY oRU Restaurant — Mcfarlane green Biggar architecture and Design

location: new Westminster, B.C.design team: tamara nalewaySquare footage: 967Photo: ema peter

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Michelle Biggar, steve Mcfarlane, seng tsoiSquare footage: 6,600Photo: arnaldo Rodriguez

Located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Van-couver, Oru is an upscale restaurant on the second floor of the hotel featuring an open kitchen, a private dining room and a wine tasting area with the largest sake cellar in the city. The de-

sign firm developed a cohesive solution for Oru from interiors through to branding, bespoke furniture and tableware. The 6,600 square foot space features a spectacular 180 foot long by 5 foot wide origami paper sculpture to provide a strong beacon visible from the street and lobby below.

The sculpture also plays an important role in creating a suitable character during the morning and lunch sittings and uniquely eve-ning experience at night. The origami sculpture contributed to the solution of both these challenges in different ways.

Oru’s design illustrates a holistic approach to design. The design-ers developed the design concept congruently with the branding and graphics. The name Oru has no direct translation but is derived from the Japanese meaning ‘to fold’. Subsequently, folding materials and forms evolved as one of the key interior design forms.

The design strives to embody the true spirit of sustainability — providing great spaces with less, with more durable, lasting mate-rials and a timeless design. This project was also the winner of the inaugural Peoples Choice Awards.

Judges Comments:“Every detail was well thought out.

It’s got a lot going on without being too busy. It pops! they’ve done innovative things we haven’t seen.”

Judges Comments:“A smart design that does not rely on origami cliché.

Very understated, doesn’t shout. Concept is so effective.”

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“Energy efficiency is one of the most important design considerations for most major projects,” says company President Steven Nemetz, “because you really can achieve significant savings through the right lighting sources and controls. We’re well-versed in what BC Hydro requires to qualify a project for the New Construction Program, and can help our clients take advantage of the program’s benefits, including incentives based on electrical savings.”

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Kasian was commissioned by Telus to design the interior space of their new downtown Toronto office space. Oc-cupying 13 floors at the Telus House, the new office was designed to consolidate 15 Greater Toronto Area locations

and 2,000 Telus employees. The client wanted to demonstrate their commitment to Toronto’s business community in a sustainable, tech-nology rich, brand sensitive environment. The design is a prototype of Telus’ performance oriented “Future Friendly Workplace”.

The facility includes a spacious open gallery reception area, board-rooms, conference rooms, training rooms, and a large data centre. A fitness and wellness centre, lunchrooms, lounges and a gourmet kitchen with a large outdoor patio complete this attractive workplace.

The project was designed with sustainability integrated from the base building into the interior space and features access to natural light, responsible finishes and product choice, and power saving strat-egies such as moment sensor lighting, and personal airflow strategies.

Integration of acoustic design solutions in a building with an open plan and on a raised floor system required careful consideration in order to mitigate program requirements encompassing privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, the design team was required to work very closely with the base buildings team since both designs were happening simultaneously.

worKPlace total telus house toronto — Kasian architecture interior Design and planning/figure3 interior Design

worKPlace total iQmetrix — ssDg interiors inc.

location: torontodesign team: Crystal graham, Dean Matsumoto, Janine grossmann, Ralph Dopping, Liana Butt, Jenny hobin, Caroline hughes, & Jennifer tinson of figure 3Square footage: 440,000

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Julie Campbell, Keath seeton, Kenna Manley, Lynn hughesSquare footage: 5,900Photo: ema peter

sSDG Interiors delivers an office for iQmetrix that is mod-ern in form and colour with a combination of natural and hi-tech materials providing interest and excitement throughout the space.

The interior of this office was designed to foster collaboration and to showcase the client’s innovative technology. The space was sepa-rated into two areas: the executive offices and the software design open workstation area. The manner in which the executive and soft-ware designers function is quite different, but the design creates an integrated team environment.

Bridging these two areas is a central social space comprised of a cafe and lounge. It is a place for the entire team to collaborate, com-municate, socialize, and relax.

The entry and the reception to the office is a blue stained pine (pine beetle wood) surround. Strips of blue stained pine frame recep-tion and seating areas that continues curving up the wall and onto the ceiling, creating texture and contrast. Planning the reception slat ceiling so pattern was uninterrupted by HVAC and lighting was a challenge as well as designing connections to LCD’s throughout the lounge inconspicuously.

The executive office area is faced with a glass and aluminum wall system and sliding doors creating an open and approachable envi-ronment. Low panel workstations with customizable graphic panels offer clear waterfront views.

Judges Comments:“the whole space is a composition. Creative space planning. Use of graphics is interesting. Nice coordination and fun use

of materials. Love that ceiling.”

Judges Comments:“Very smart glowing cubes, touch screens are well thought out, and finishes are applied carefully. Love the definition of

space by change of flooring.”



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worKPlace Partial Camp fiorante Matthews Lawyersfalse Creek Design group Ltd.

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Jim toy, Dale Buote, Will Chan, Jenna McbrideSquare footage: 9,000

false Creek Design was commissioned to undertake the ten-ant improvements for this law firm specializing in aviation litigation. The client did not want a stodgy, static tradition-al aesthetic but a space that was contemporary, symbolic

and multi-functional for clients and staff.The front area of the space houses reception, waiting, touch down,

rolling bar and a divisible central boardroom. The design team had to carefully balance an aesthetic that reflect-

ed the law firm’s specialization in aviation litigation without being too literal. The solution was subtle references to aeronautics and aviation through use of materials and detailing.

Metal, rubber, wood, plastics and stainless steel (all used for build-ing aircrafts) were chosen for this reason.

The angled front desk apron and the side walls for the main meet-ing room echo wing shapes. Layered acrylic panel ‘towers’ clad the columns to frame the front area, as does the pivoting wind screen feature behind the desk.

In addition, the shape of the board room table and rubber inlay mimics a 1922 jet engine patent design by Albert Fono. Custom de-signed waiting area seating is upholstered in ‘airline grey’, along with an oak and glass winged coffee table.

Judges Comments:“Definitely a fun use of ceiling material.

Nailed the aeronautic influence. Creativity level is very high.”

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the Fairmont Florist is a petite flower boutique located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The design pivots on a single simple elegant element that provides the flexibility for varied display opportunities.

This central plinth comprises of large jigsaw pieces that combine in numerous configurations to transform the space.

The project, though tiny in size had an even leaner budget, which is always a challenge. The firm was also the designers for both the base building portion and the retail space requiring the team to wear two hats to ensure both end uses were successful.

The essence of the design was simplicity – to build only what was necessary in keeping with the firm’s environmental approach.

The design illustrates that creativity can provide even the smallest of spaces with an efficient, flexible yet elegant solution. The client’s vision to have a space to support their concept of a rotating gallery display has been immensely successful.

This project not only stood out for the judges but also the public. It was a winner of this year’s inaugural Peoples Choice Awards.

retail or KioSK fairmont floristMcfarlane green Biggar architecture + Design

PUBlic SPace/inStitUtional goldcorp Centre for the arts proscenium architecture + interiors and Cei architecture

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Michelle Biggar, seng tsoiSquare footage: 215

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Kori Chan, thom Weeks, John scott, Michael Mcnaughton, Dori Chan, saeed akhavan, pablo Yuste, Kimberly Dodge, izabela Budlak, andrew Brangwin, Ryan Yapyuco, tom abele, glen MaddockSquare footage: 125,000Photo: ed White

opened in September 2010, the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts is a five storey building located on the southwest corner of the redeveloped Woodward’s site in downtown Vancouver. It serves as a unique multi-disciplinary per-

forming and visual arts facility that includes theatre, dance, film and visual art studies. The school is intended as an interdisciplinary facil-ity flexible in its design to allow the various faculties to collaborate between themselves and with the local professional arts community.

It includes public space, performance venues, teaching studios, a 350-seat theatre, and a multimedia lounge and lab for new media.

Whenever possible, the design team selected suppliers that could demonstrate good sustainable practice through their product line, as well as recycling and support programs. In addition, finishes were minimized wherever possible to allow the many structural materials to be a part of the finished palette. Displacement and natural ventila-tion were used to provide fresh air.

The most unique challenge was the base building needed to be en-hanced and modified to meet the programmatic needs of the school. This was possible due to the fact that the base building and TI de-signs were done simultaneously. The comprehensive consulting team had to work cooperatively.

Judges Comments:“Small space but I’m drawn to it.

So creatively done, so adaptable, and so clean. It let’s the product shine.”

Judges Comments:“Achieved goal in a very original manner.

Nice job in lighting and bringing the ceiling down to a more human scale. Good architectural and interior

design collaboration.”

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MCM Interiors successfully de-livered a much needed up-grade to the former BC Rail Centre in North Vancouver.

221 West Esplanade is a landmark six storey office building strategically located near the Seabus terminus in North Vancouver. The objective for MCM Interiors was to provide an upgrade to the existing ground floor exte-rior retail entrance and interior building two storey lobby. The design team successfully

did that by creating animation and activity to the main level of the building and providing a stronger connection between the exterior and lobby through lighting and material patterns. Environmental considerations for this project included specifying low-impact materials and replanting exterior plants and trees.

The office building was modernized with a new contemporary exterior and new land-scaping. The project was completed in De-cember 2010.

PUBlic SPace/inStitUtional 221 West esplanade — MCM interiors Ltd.

location: north vancouver, B.C.design team: edith Wormsbecker, Manuel DiasSquare footage: 7,879Photo: ema peter

Judges Comments:“A lot of style, very interesting.

Beautiful and iconic.the detailing is great and relates well to the

whole project.”



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SPecialtY deSign Breeder Bar — false Creek Design group

location: vancouver, B.C.design team: Jim toy, adam WingelaarSquare footage: 400

Judges Comments:“Cute. Smart, clever and fun.

Great thought went into use of materials and lighting.”f

CDG was tasked to design a creative and functional 2,000 square foot pop up bar feature for a design and construction

tradeshow using lost cost, lightweight and easy to assemble materials. The resulting design features two inch blue rigid insula-tion panels, fibre optic lighting, low VOC poly coated ply floor panels and folding banquet tables. The fibre optic lighting also served to create mood, light sculpture and wayfinding.

Cut out patterns and graphics were gen-erated using a 5 axis CNC machine to pro-duce interlocking perforated back lit walls, signage and bar front aprons.

Colour changing lighting form a contin-uous loop of ½ inch acrylic rod attached to a main driver forms the ‘bunny ears’ pop-ping up behind the front bar, as well as the back lighting within the self supporting in-terlocking wall panels. As one of the spon-sors for the bar feature, the design firm focused on showcasing local millwork and lighting technology while taking a tongue-in-cheek approach in branding the bar.

The assembly of the entire bar used no glues, fasteners or framing in its assem-bly. Challenges included prefabrication off site and assembly time of eight hours or less on site.


::::::: :::::::kitchen & bath

it’s hard to beat the beauty of natural stone, and it shows. Granite countertops consis-tently top the “most wanted” list, due in part to their durability and rich composi-tion. But it’s certainly not the only stone

on the block. Other natural stones commonly used for kitchen counters include marble, limestone and soapstone.

“Traditionally, stonework, especially bath-room stonework on vanities and tub sur-rounds has been created for aesthetics and not necessarily functionality,” says Chad Seiders, executive director, Artisan Group. “The stone industry is now seeing a shift of homeowners giving a back seat to functional-ity and using these more exotic such as White Carrara and Calacutta Gold Marble in the kitchen. There also is much more of a trend toward using matte and honed finishes.”

Using these types of softer stones in high traffic areas creates a chance for scratching and etching with citrus, sharp objects etc.; but with sealers such as Artisan Group’s Firstline Sealer on the market, it is still possible to enjoy these gorgeous stones in the kitchen. Firstline is a V.O.C. compliant and protects against stains.

honed stone and creative countertops

“Owners of upper echelon of homes, es-pecially those in excess of $1 million, re-ally want a stone style that is unique such as rare marble or soapstone,” says Seiders. Perhaps more than any other stone, marble evokes images of sophisticated extrava-gance. Once found only in the homes of the very wealthy, marble is now a much more accessible luxury due to improved technol-ogy and availability.

Marble that is honed has a matte or satin finish, rather than a high reflective polish. This is achieved at the factory by stopping just short of the last stage of polishing. One feature of honed marble is that it does not show etching as readily, making it a better choice for marble countertops.

“We are adding marbles to the Artisan Stone Collection that was launched with life-time warranty granite,” adds Seiders. Colours include: Calacatta Gold, White Carrara, Brec-cia Sarda, Dark Emperador and Crema Marfil.

Soapstone is often referred to as “the origi-nal stone countertop. Very prevalent in the northeast used as a traditional look, Soapstone is now being used with a flat edge for clean,

contemporary rooms. Because homeowners now realize that soapstone can have so many looks and is low maintenance, it is becoming more popular. Artisan Group is launching its own line of soapstone — Saratoga Soapstone — to meet some of this demand.

Velvety soft and smooth with minimal surface variations, limestone conveys a feeling of calm and serenity. This stone is often perceived as modern or contempo-rary in mood, making it perfect for a mini-malist setting. Formed by the sedimentary process underground and in riverbeds, you will often find characteristic seashells and fossils embedded in the surface. While it shares a colour range similar to that of travertine, it is, for the most part, devoid of holes and depressions. Cream, ivory, gold, sand, and smoky blue-gray are the pre-dominant shades found within this stone’s colour palette.

Natural stone is one of the most beautiful and lasting choices for countertops and now there are more choices than ever to get the look you want: honed or polished, granite or marble, contemporary or traditional. DQ

Using an incredible piece of

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that is only one colour.


:::::::kitchen & bath:::::::

fall is all about change — and the home is no exception. Tradition-ally a season of home renova-tions, this is the time of year when homeowners trade poolside days

for DIY projects. It’s the time to ensure the home is in tip-top shape — just in time to welcome visitors and guests during the busy holiday season.

This year, meaningful integration of tech-nology will continue to be a focus in home design. Designers and homeowners alike are seeking out the latest innovations to enhance daily activities in the home. From centralized entertainment systems to smart grid-enabled appliances to wireless network technology used in home security.

technology in the bathIdeally, technology should complement peo-ple’s lifestyle — not complicate them. Instead of flashy displays — think simple, smart inno-vations with intuitive design to enhance the end-user experience with everyday objects. For example, hands-free electronics typically found in public restrooms can now be experi-enced in the home bathroom. Imagine water turning on and off automatically while you go through your morning bathroom routine.

With technological advances in the bath like this, consumers can be eco-conscious without having to sacrifice comfort. Case in point: according to a recent Angus Reid survey, a surprising one in three Canadians admits to leaving the water running when

brushing their teeth. By installing an inno-vative hands-free faucet in the bathroom, homeowners can effortlessly use a smart technology to help save water on a daily basis.

Neutral bathroom colours, natural materials and decorative accents that make a statement are key components in modern bathroom de-sign. A mix of wood, glass, stone and chrome can help pull this look together. Using eco-friendly materials is also a popular trend that adds texture and sophistication to the design — think linen, bamboo cloth, and even felt.

technology in the kitchenEvery home seems to have a budding chef happily preparing feasts for friends and family rather than dining out. With this continuing trend, homeowners are asking for ever more functional kitchens with am-ple work spaces to allow guests and family to cook together. Rather than just an area to prepare food, homeowners also want a space where the whole family can comfortably gather. Design details like dark wood, warm metal finishes and rich earth tones bring a rustic feel to contemporary kitchens. With homes becoming smaller, these welcoming details can transform kitchens into a place for a home-cooked meal, family game night or late-night chats.

Functionality in the kitchen is closely fol-lowed by the integration of smart technolo-gies. Homeowners who have made the jump to a kitchen faucet with touch technology often remark how they can’t remember how they ever lived without it! These faucets allow the user to turn the flow of water on and off with just a simple tap of the wrist or forearm. It makes preparing food and cleaning up

afterward a breeze. Fewer hands on the fau-cet mean fewer sticky messes and less time scrubbing down the faucet.

finishing touchesAdding warmth to the kitchen and bathroom can also be achieved with luxurious finishes. Look for bronze and gold tones in a contem-porary-styled faucet for a soft, brushed gold effect. For a rich, heritage feel, look for oil rubbed bronze finishes. Heritage style prod-ucts with a used-over-time look add charm and a crafty feel to even the most modern kitchen or powder room.

Add intrigue to a contemporary bathroom with a multi-texture or multi-finish fixture. The season’s newest fixtures combine lac-quered white finishes with high-gloss chrome to create a unique focal point. Other new fix-tures contrast soft, graceful arcs with bold, modern lines.

While stylish accessories and finishes are important to the overall appearance of a home, spaces must also be designed to be comfortable, functional — and most impor-tantly — livable. A perfect balance of technol-ogy, style and practicality can be struck, creat-ing the ideal home environment for festivities all year round. DQ

Anita Griffin is the marketing brand man-ager for Masco Canada and can be reached at [email protected]. Masco Canada Ltd., the Canadian plumbing division of Mas-co Corporation, represents numerous brands including: Delta, BrassCraft, Brizo, Delta Commercial, Hansgrohe, Motiv, Alsons, Mas-ter Plumber, PlumbShop and Waltec. For more information, visit www.mascocanada.com.

fall “touches” for the kitchen & bathbY anita griffin


::::::: :::::::kitchen & bath

now more than ever, the walls have come down and the kitch-en has become part of the liv-ing space. There is something about gathering in the kitchen

with food and drink that makes for a most joy-ous time. The open kitchen is now status quo.

here are five top kitchen trends1. The large island. As simple as a harvest table or as intricate as a chef station complete with gas burners, refrigerator drawers, prep sink, and a pot rack. It can break up the mo-notony of wall to wall cabinets by using a con-trasting finish such as a fabulous stone top or a more intricate door style. This is where you can create drama without committing to a whole room of a powerful colour, busy wood grain or expensive finish. The large island multi-functions as a worktop, snack bar, buf-fet table, conversation piece and hangout.

2. The Furniture Aesthetic and Built-in Appliances. Panelled to match the cabine-try it is difficult to see the fridge at all. With fewer walls, clients wish to hide the appli-ances wherever possible and have the kitch-en look more like furniture than its utilitar-ian predecessor. Drawing inspiration from the adjacent space to create the furniture aesthetic, I have matched an entire kitch-en to a B&B Italia dining suite or used an existing wall of cabinetry to determine the accent finish. Double duty appliances, like

micro/convection or convection/steamer ovens create space on counters. Refrigerator drawers keep veggies handy at the prep area. The wine captain is now on the must have list of appliances. The custom hood canopy is not just a staple in traditional kitchens, Canopies created out of metal can be used to update this ‘home hearth” design element for contemporary kitchens. Gray is the new neutral especially on a heavy grained wood like white oak. Engineered veneers and car-amelized bamboo are the go to finishes for the green crowd. Accents in chartreuse and orange are especially hot this year.

3. Clever storage. Interior fittings in such a wide range of sizes, functions and finish-es it makes your head spin and we want as many as we can fit. Maximizing storage is a must, especially with the condo crowd. Pan-try pull-outs that also rotate for easy access and cabinets designed just for waste man-agement top the list. Narrow base cabinets are not just for trays anymore. Pull-out racks turn them into a pantry at your fingertips. The Magic Corner replaces the lazy susan as the go to accessory for base corners. Doors don’t just swing open. Now they scissor up or swing away and soft close is a standard request for doors and drawers.

4. The Butler’s Pantry or Dirty Kitchen. Having a space where the mess can be con-tained behind closed doors is desired wher-ever space allows. Usually it has a similar feel

to the “show” kitchen, only with low mainte-nance finishes. Where a separate room isn’t possible, the Dirty Kitchen can be housed in as little space as a two door pantry with swing-away doors.

5. Kitchen Jewellery. For some it is a row of aluminum and glass scissor doors. For oth-ers, heavily carved posts and appliques. Still others a crystal fixture over the island, cre-ative cabinet pulls, or an exciting finish on the splash. Like pairing a great pair of shoes with your little black dress, finding the right accents will make the look uniquely yours.

For the bathroom, the vanity is not merely a place to hide the toilet paper and hold up the sink and faucet. Whether it is contempo-rary or traditional, the vanity will be a piece of art on its own, especially in the powder room where the client can really stretch their boundaries and make a bold statement. In the master ensuite, large showers with body sprays, ceiling mounted shower heads and bench seats are replacing jetted soaker tubs as the go to luxury items.

From living space to cleansing space, the furniture aesthetic creates a visual flow that keeps the space tailored and uncluttered. DQ

Christine Austin, B.I.D, is an award win-ning, NCIDQ certified designer specializing in kitchen, bath and “hard furnishings” design. Contact: [email protected].

the modern kitchenbY christine austin


:::::::kitchen & bath:::::::

as design focused websites, blogs and publications continue to gain popularity with both de-signers and homeowners, inno-vative designs being produced

around the world are increasingly available at the click of a mouse. Clients are becoming informed and are well equipped with images and concepts now more than ever before. As consumers are inundated with advertis-ing and new products quickly emerge on the market, clients are more willing to be creative and take risks with new ideas and designs.

With the kitchen having emerged as the central hub of a home, ensuites are quickly gaining importance as another room in which clients are seeing the value in splurging. The ensuite is now an integral part of the master suite and to have a fully loaded ensuite is no longer considered a luxury feature. Whether the client is looking to turn their ensuite into a relaxing spa-like sanctuary or a technology filled playground, there are many new prod-ucts that will show off the ensuite and take it to centre stage in a home.

Architecturally, a unique and daring way to showcase an ensuite is to incorporate an “open-air” concept and have it open to the outdoors. This concept can be found most frequently in warmer climates which allows for a comfortable experience while showering or bathing outdoors. Of course

with our unpredictable Canadian tempera-tures to contend with, this level of exhibi-tionism is not often possible leaving most clients to opt for enclosing their ensuites behind oversized glazing which maximizes natural lighting and highlights views of the outside surroundings.

In most situations where designing an open-air bathroom is not possible, an easy alternative is to incorporate a functional oversized glass shower. Where space is a restrictive factor, many clients are choos-ing to eschew the bathtub all together and are instead installing only a functional glass shower. Most feature luxurious rainshower heads, body jets and hand showers as well as functional benches and built-in shampoo niches. There are so many unique finishes and tiles becoming available and having a shower clad in natural stone or a unique mosaic tile is becoming increasingly acces-sible to clients. With demand rising for af-fordable product, factories in Europe and Asia are competing for North American dis-tribution and therefore providing designers and their clients with more affordable op-tions than ever before.

Plumbing fixtures are another area of the bathroom that clients are starting to see the value in, especially when consider-ing resale of their home. Bathtubs can be an impressive feature and are now available in

multiple finishes such as glass and wood. Some designs incorporate sliding doors and drawers as a storage solution, especially valuable in smaller bathrooms. Becoming increasingly popular is the hands-free ap-proach, with toilets and faucets operated by motion-sensors providing germ-free peace of mind to consumers. Taking the lead from commercial design, residential toilets are now being wall-mounted for a cleaner and more contemporary approach, many featur-ing state-of-the-art multi-functional capa-bilities. A manufacturer from Japan has even taken toilet technology one step further and has created an “Intelligence Toilet” which can measure your body fat, weight and sugar levels in your system and can test your blood pressure, then make recommendations for diet and weight.

More options for the technology enthusi-ast are now available with a multitude of new and innovative products hitting the shelves and incorporating some fun into the ensuite. For the environmentally conscious there is now a sink drain available that is designed to digitally measure water usage enabling the client to keep track of the household water consumption. If mood music is important, another Japanese export is an Ipod toilet pa-per dock that is moisture resistant and holds a roll of paper, plays music, charges the Ipod and even has an integrated USB port. Televi-sions have been a common technology found in bathrooms, and there is now a wall mirror available that functions as an all-in-one mir-ror, television and PC all embedded behind mirrored glass. For a more conservative ap-proach where budget is a factor, there are also many simple, inventive and affordable products such as heated towel racks or au-tomatic toothpaste dispensers that are de-signed for the everyday homeowner in mind.

As travel becomes more accessible every year, designers and homeowners are circling the globe and returning home with mental snapshots of unique design ideas. For design-ers, as creativity is being fueled by informa-tion being passed around the world at light speed, the sky really is the limit. DQ

Trinh Nguyen, Cert.I.D., is currently a senior designer with Synthesis Design spe-cializing in residential design and also senior designer with WHG Design specializing in commercial design. She is also the founder and principal of Stylelab Design. Contact her at [email protected] or visit www.synthesisdesign.ca.

the ensuite takes centre stagebY trinh nguYen

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MEDIA PARTNERS

VANCOUVER • F E B 8 & 9 , 2 0 1 2EDMONTON • MARCH 20 & 21, 2012C A L G A R Y • N O V 6 & 7, 2 0 1 2

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MARCH 20 & 21, 2012EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE, NORTHLANDS

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Don’t miss BUILDEX EdmontonThe largest event of its kind in Edmonton, BUILDEX has become a must-attend trade show and conference for the Design, Construction and Property Management Industries. BUILDEX Edmonton is your gateway to the Northern Alberta market.

Supplier or Exhibitor? Secure your position at the 2012 show today! Limited number of high-profi le locations still available.

For more info and to book your exhibit space at BUILDEX Edmonton, please contact:

Wolfgang Ortner Ben [email protected] [email protected]. 403.241.1088 o. 604.730.2032

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Act now for BUILDEX VancouverJoin over 13,000 industry professionals at Western Canada’s largest tradeshow and conference for Construction, Design and Real Estate. With over 600 exhibits, 50 seminars and 120,000 square feet of networking opportunities, you cannot miss this show!

Supplier or Exhibitor? Book your booth for best locations. Act today! Less than 10% of booths remain available.

For more info and to reserve your exhibit space at BUILDEX Vancouver, please contact:

Mike Pelsoci Ben [email protected] [email protected]. 604.730.2034 o. 604.730.2032

FEBRUARY 8 & 9, 2012VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE

buildexvancouver.comA/D PLATINUM SPONSOR

NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 2012BMO CENTRE, STAMPEDE PARK

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Plan ahead for BUILDEX CalgaryWith over 4000 industry attendees and 250+ exhibits, this is Alberta’s largest industry event to NETWORK, EDUCATE and DISCOVER.

Supplier or Exhibitor? Start your planning early and secure the best booth locations.

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Wolfgang Ortner Mike [email protected] [email protected]. 403.241.1088 o. 604.730.2034

buildex dps dq fall.indd 1 10/27/11 4:04:19 PM

PHOT

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VANCOUVER • F E B 8 & 9 , 2 0 1 2EDMONTON • MARCH 20 & 21, 2012C A L G A R Y • N O V 6 & 7, 2 0 1 2

BUILDEX shows are about designing, building and managing real estate.buildexshows.com • 1.877.739.2112 More than 20,000 attendees annually • 800+ companies exhibit each year

MARCH 20 & 21, 2012EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE, NORTHLANDS

buildexedmonton.com

Don’t miss BUILDEX EdmontonThe largest event of its kind in Edmonton, BUILDEX has become a must-attend trade show and conference for the Design, Construction and Property Management Industries. BUILDEX Edmonton is your gateway to the Northern Alberta market.

Supplier or Exhibitor? Secure your position at the 2012 show today! Limited number of high-profi le locations still available.

For more info and to book your exhibit space at BUILDEX Edmonton, please contact:

Wolfgang Ortner Ben [email protected] [email protected]. 403.241.1088 o. 604.730.2032

ARE YOU ADO YOU

WOULD YOU

SUPPLIER OR SERVICE PROVIDER?

TARGET THE ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITIES?

LIKE TO WORK WITH CONTRACTORS, BUILDING OWNERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS, BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS?

Act now for BUILDEX VancouverJoin over 13,000 industry professionals at Western Canada’s largest tradeshow and conference for Construction, Design and Real Estate. With over 600 exhibits, 50 seminars and 120,000 square feet of networking opportunities, you cannot miss this show!

Supplier or Exhibitor? Book your booth for best locations. Act today! Less than 10% of booths remain available.

For more info and to reserve your exhibit space at BUILDEX Vancouver, please contact:

Mike Pelsoci Ben [email protected] [email protected]. 604.730.2034 o. 604.730.2032

FEBRUARY 8 & 9, 2012VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE

buildexvancouver.comA/D PLATINUM SPONSOR

NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 2012BMO CENTRE, STAMPEDE PARK

buildexcalgary.com

Plan ahead for BUILDEX CalgaryWith over 4000 industry attendees and 250+ exhibits, this is Alberta’s largest industry event to NETWORK, EDUCATE and DISCOVER.

Supplier or Exhibitor? Start your planning early and secure the best booth locations.

For more info and to book your exhibit space at BUILDEX Calgary, please contact:

Wolfgang Ortner Mike [email protected] [email protected]. 403.241.1088 o. 604.730.2034

buildex dps dq fall.indd 1 10/27/11 4:04:19 PM


::::::: :::::::kitchen & bath

enriching the guest experience

at a time when innovative and de-sign-forward bath fixtures and accessories often define the ho-tel guest experience, designers have a wide variety of resources

at their command. When designing bath in-teriors, in particular, the whole of the bath environment must be something greater than the sum of its parts. Branding is also key, in order to provide guests with a specific feeling about the bath environment; one that they will remember and that will encourage them to return. As 2011 comes to a close, it’s an op-portune time to look at several current bath design trends that will help designers deliver a superior guest experience in 2012.

Sleek & Streamlined. This is a key aesthetic trend that continues to be prominent in the hotel bath. It’s not only easy on the eyes, but also goes a long way towards creating a pleas-ant feeling for guests. The sleek and stream-lined aesthetic is expressed in products such as grid drains with no visible screws and rare earth magnets, which could almost function as modern metal art. Monoblock faucets with a smooth sleeve and small lever that blends flawlessly into the fixture, continue to be in high demand, as well as temperature and vol-ume controls that are activated in one motion by a hydro-progressive sleeve.

Water Conservation. Fixtures for the bath that conserve water are not only more pop-ular, but are becoming a necessity as cities and states are passing more stringent green

building codes. As a result, more hoteliers are opting for ecologically friendly, low-flow, high-efficiency toilets that have dual-flush functionality. In showers and faucets, pres-sure balance valves are being replaced with thermostatic valves that have built-in volume control and diverter in one, eliminating var-ied volume control and reduce flow rates.

Timeless Design. In the hotel world, you are usually only as good as your last remodel. However, with the diminished capital for both renovation and new development, an anti-trend is beginning to emerge: a return to time-lessly designed bath products that have mar-ket longevity. Bath fixtures and accessories that have classic finishes, such as aged brass, copper and velvet chrome, are increasingly becoming popular as hospitality budgets have tightened. Likewise, products that feature fa-miliar feminine lines, such as curvy spouts and round, multi-faceted levers have also made a comeback as hoteliers have sought bath prod-ucts that won’t go out of style any time soon.

The Digital Bath. There is no denying it: digital technology is revolutionizing the ho-tel bath space. From high-end toilets that play music to steam shower temperature controls and state-of-the-art shower sys-tems with water conservation settings, re-cent digital advancements are giving hotels opportunities to provide their guests with a more personalized experience. Digital show-er systems, specifically, are one place where guests can be given a dose of high-tech while

conserving water and energy through a wa-ter usage program.

Decorative & Universal. Hoteliers are always looking for bath products that offer both deco-rative and universal design elements. Luckily, many ADA-compliant bath products on the market today prove that hospitality designers do not need to sacrifice style in the name of uni-versal design. Modern decorative grab bars put the days of institutional-style grab bars behind, setting new standards for seamlessly blending design and function. In fact, decorative grab bars are now very sexy and not a sore point for architects when specifying ADA-compliant guest suites. They offer the hospitality trifecta: low maintenance, style and accessibility for el-derly and disabled hotel guests.

Finish Line. When it comes to finishes, the hospitality industry has moved in two interest-ing directions. We are seeing many hotel clients gravitate towards the “vintage” chic look and are subsequently requesting more raw brass fixtures. Weathered brass is not necessarily an easy look to achieve at the mass hotel level; in fact, there are only a few bath manufactur-ers today who are skilled in the “oven curing” process necessary to arrive at the right colour of brass. On the opposite side of spectrum, matte black finishes are gaining popularity in con-temporary hotel bath environments. Designers who choose matte black faucets say they are doing so because it is the new “neutral,” com-plementing almost any vanity or countertop colour, whether dark or light. It also gives the bath a dramatic and contemporary look, not to mention it’s fingerprint-resistant.

If there is one unifying theme to be found among these trends, it’s that hoteliers are always looking for new ways to enhance the bath experience and make it truly unique for their guests. As the hospitality industry moves beyond the recession in 2012, we will undoubtedly see more emphasis on the hotel bath experience — one of the greatest joys of a hotel stay. DQ

Avi Abel is the president of Watermark ID,

the custom division of Brooklyn-based Water-mark Designs, which has been producing cus-tom decorative plumbing fixtures for the luxury hospitality industry for more than 30 years.

hotel bath trends bY avi abel

Watermark Designs has a full range of faucets,

grab bars and grid drains that complement any

contemporary or traditional bath environment.


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the library. We all have one, wheth-er it is small or large. It is the nec-essary evil in the design and archi-tectural field that needs constant attention. Over the past 20 years,

I’ve struggled with the size of my library. I love having my samples and catalogues at my fingertips, especially when we have those projects that come in with impossible dead-lines. Having the actual samples right when you need them seems to make the selection and design process faster without having to wait for the reps to get them to your office. The problem of course, is these samples and catalogues take up too much precious office space and can easily date and get discontin-ued if you don’t have a diligent representative update your library on a regular basis. Within the past decade, most companies rely on you going to their website for their products and information – which at the time seemed great until their website goes down and it will take 3-5 days to get the products sent to your of-fice. Also, it doesn’t matter how great the pic-tures are on that website, the colour, finish, or texture never seems quite right once you actually get it and then another week goes by

to get more samples in. Yes, technology and access to the information at our fingertips is supposed to help, but somehow I still can’t get rid of my actual library.

They “say” technology is supposed to make us all more efficient. I’m from the world when I started interior design that the only people that had cell phones were the very wealthy. We didn’t have internet or email, and fax machines still relied on that paper on a roll. When I took AutoCAD in school, we worked on a tablet and the electric eraser was a much coveted tool. Twenty years later, manual draft-ing is now archaic and computer software is continually advancing at such an incredible pace, that as soon as you purchase anything it is virtually outdated. Technology in the office today is a constant expense which seems to get even more expensive every year. Our comput-ers never seem fast enough to handle the work load that appears to get bigger every day. Our iPhones, iPads and laptops, when lost or bro-ken is an absolute disaster to all of us and we cannot function without them. Gone are the days of huge files of paper but when some-thing breaks down or the server or internet is down, we are completely incapacitated.

Technology has made us become way too available. Clients and reps can get a hold of us any time of the day or night. Emails never stop and now texting seems to be a common way of communicating from my clients and contractors. The convenience of technology has helped in many ways to make us more efficient in the work day, as an 8 hour work day 20 years ago, is nothing compared to an 8 hour work day today. We can work even faster than before and produce more than we ever could but is this really a good thing? Our de-mands from clients seem to be even greater as technology has created even bigger expecta-tions than before.

However, without technology, we couldn’t have clients and projects in other cities and countries as easily as we do today. Our mobil-ity would be virtually impossible without the use of internet, email, Skype and conference calling, to name a few. As business owners, it is easier for us to get away and travel the world whether it is for work or pleasure and to know that we can always be contacted or be available for meetings or emergencies any time that is needed. With the use of the in-ternet we can “see” virtually anything around the world, even if we cannot physically be there. Our knowledge continues to grow daily and it is the power of technology that makes this possible.

Even though technology in today’s modern office can be daunting and frustrating when something “goes down”, at least we no longer have to pick up that electric eraser when our clients make changes! DQ

Julie Okamura, ASID, is owner and princi-pal of Pop Design Group inc. in Calgary.

modern efficiency through technologybY Julie okaMura


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anyone who follows the environ-mental press knows that the cli-mate change situation is getting worse fast. Last year the density of greenhouse gas in our atmo-

sphere increased by 2.3 parts per million to 398 ppm, well over the 350 cut off that cli-mate scientists have long warned would mark a tipping point. And there’s no end in sight. Despite our anxiety about the future, we con-tinue to drive the cars, fly the planes and live in the buildings we’ve constructed. The CO2 levels in the atmosphere continue to ratchet upwards, and at an increasing rate. If un-checked, the planet will soon become hotter than it has been at any time during the past 40 million years.

We aren’t sure what the future holds. But climatologists are able to construct models of the possible outcomes of our current cri-sis. Here is the worst case scenario for our planet: frozen methane deposits under the warming ocean and in the melting arctic tundras will thaw and bubble up, releasing extraordinary amounts of greenhouse gas. The earth’s climate will heat up year by year, escalating exponentially until it reaches Venus-like conditions. All life on the planet will end.

The best case we can hope for, according to all the models currently available — and one that is only possible if we act quickly — is this: glaciers and polar ice caps will become a thing of the past. Drought, extraordinary sea level rise (eventually reaching 75 to 100 me-ters) famine, floods and loss of arable land will make life very hard for billions of people. Our grandchildren will contend with problems we cannot even begin to imagine. They may sur-vive, but only by the skin of their teeth.

It is too late to avert climate change. But what can the construction community do to help keep the worst case scenario from oc-curring? What can we do right away to give earth’s future children a chance at survival?

For starters, buildings have to take at least a third of the blame for our current predica-ment. The heating, lighting and appliances used in buildings make up approximately 35 per cent of global energy use and contribute about 35 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere by human activity. If you take into account all the other equipment used inside buildings, such as computers and copiers, this number jumps to 48 per cent.

But apart from adhering to basic insulation requirements builders currently make very

5 percent for the planetbY richard iredale

little effort to cut energy use. Our LEED cer-tification system, for example, is not nearly as effective as it should be. Less than a third of LEED certification points address energy use directly and there is little or no effort to evaluate actual building performance as op-posed to computer estimates based on design drawings. Many LEED buildings, though they seemed good on paper, actually use a lot of energy.

The manufacturing industry is fairing bet-ter. Over the past 20 years, the US and Cana-dian manufacturing sector has reduced the per-capita energy it uses by an extraordinary 22 per cent, largely because it pays its own monthly energy bills. The buildings and auto sectors, in contrast, have only cut per-capita energy use by 6.5 per cent. This is because builders and automakers sell buildings and cars on to consumers who then foot the util-ity bills. No one does the math. Low up-front costs translate into high operating costs.

At Iredale Group Architecture we’ve start-ed a campaign called “5 Percent for the Plan-et.” We have found that 5 per cent of total building costs is approximately the amount needed to add renewable energy to a project. When designing a building for our client, we pitch the option to them: spend an extra 5 per

Robinson residential

home, Mayne Island.


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cent on green energy systems and feel proud to be investing in the long term survival of life on earth. We point out that although build-ing green may not yield an immediate short term financial benefit, the extra cost is worth it: Renewable energy pays a 5 per cent divi-dend (on average) and it’s an investment in our children’s future and in the future of the earth we all call home.

The green investments we recommend include solar thermal hot water panels mounted on roofs, geo-exchange wells be-side or below buildings, sewage and waste digesters (that reuse sewage and kitchen waste to produce biogas), tiny, dry-waste gasification burners that produce electricity, as well as solar photovoltaic panels that pro-duce electricity.

We recently designed a small home on Mayne Island (near Victoria) for Peter Robinson, CEO of the Suzuki Foundation. Peter wanted to “go green” and was willing to pay for it. We installed 30 solar hot wa-ter vaccuum tubes on his roof that collect radiant energy from the sun. The hot water

is used for laundry, washing and bathing. It also heats the house through tiny plastic hot water tubes cast into the concrete floor topping. On cold and cloudy winter days we have to provide backup electrical heat. Averaged over a year, the solar panels will provide 75 per cent of the home’s heating and hot water needs.

We’re now using the system on two other homes being built near Victoria, whose own-ers are willing to spend “5 Percent for the Planet.” This time we are installing heat ex-changers on the back of airtight wood burn-ing fireplaces that will connect to the solar system, providing extra heat on cold days. This will completely eliminate the need to rely on electricity for heat and hot water. A

small anaerobic digester that converts kitch-en waste and sewage into biogas using spe-cially engineered microorganisms will pro-vide gas for cooking. (These bugs can even eat paper and woody waste like corn husks and squash peels from the garden). We expect to generate about 3Kw-hr per day of gas energy from the waste produced by a family of four — enough to cook with.

Our designs reduce ground-water depletion by collecting roof rainwater and using it for toilets and laundry. We also collect and treat grey water on site, reusing it for toilet flushing and gardening. This water conservation pro-vides much needed insurance against increas-ingly dry summers in our part of the world.

The need for electricity drops dramatically when a house uses solar hot water and anaero-bic digesters for heating and cooking. Electri-cal power for lights and computers is easily produced by 25 solar electric panels mounted on the roof. These solar panels help balance the daily supply and demand for electricity by connecting to the electricity grid of the sur-rounding community. When the sun is shining and the solar panels are producing a surplus of electricity, the house feeds energy into the grid. At night when the solar panels are dormant, the house draws electricity out again.

We are now applying the same ideas to larger buildings. We are currently designing a 30-story office tower for downtown Van-couver financed by ultra-green Credit-Suisse. This high-rise will be 60 per cent self suffi-cient for energy and water. We will achieve this goal by using solar panels, anaerobic di-gesters, an innovative system of radiant heat-ing, natural ventilation, and rainwater col-lection. Another current project, the new Art Gallery at Royal Roads university in Victoria (The Robert Bateman Center) will achieve 80 per cent energy self sufficiency by adding geo-exchange wells as further heat sources.

How much does it all cost? According to our experience, these “green” innovations add about 5 per cent to the total cost of any given project. When we sit down with a new client, we ask them to think hard about the future of planet earth. We ask them to consider invest-ing $5 of every $100 of construction in green devices and technologies.

Five per cent for the planet does not seem too much to ask.

Richard Iredale is a partner at Iredale Group Architecture. His primary focus is the sustainable design of civic, cultural, residen-tial, and education facilities. www.iredale.ca

renewable energy pays a 5 per cent dividend

(on average) and it’s an investment in our children’s future…

the new 30 storey Credit

Suisse project in Vancouver

is targeting to achieve a

LEED Platinum.


design headlines::::::: :::::::

advertising index2nd century rug co. ibcampco grafix 4bc hydro 21bradford decorative hardware 27buildex 32 & 33coast wholesale appliances 5colin campbell 7final touch window coverings 13frances andrew/kate holland 19inform 17kohler 11Masonite/Moulding & Millwork 15odyssey wall coverings obcrobinson lighting and bath centre ifcshaw contract group 25windoworks 23

toFINo REDINEDA new 7,200 square foot marina and pier is set to open in May 2012 on Tofino’s down-town waterfront. Dredging is scheduled to start this winter. The marina and pier are part of The Shore, a 27 unit luxury mixed-use development. Designed by Calgary based McKinley Dang Burkart, the waterfront property reflects the beauty of its natural sur-roundings with fir ceilings and cedar beams in the penthouses and loft suites. As the first concrete and steel residential condo building in Tofino, it sets a new benchmark for development in the area.

The new marina will feature a restaurant and other amenity spaces along with storage for surfboards and kayaks. It will also have a green roof.

An old B.C. Packers plant sat on the site for 15 years before Moss Developments decided to redevelop it.

HotEL DESIGN AWARDSAir Canada’s enRoute, together with the In-terior Designers of Canada and IIDEX/Neo-Con Canada, invited Canadian architects and interior designers to submit new and exten-sively renovated hotels completed between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010. Winners of the first-ever enRoute Hotel De-sign Awards were:

Best Overall ArchitectureThe Keefer, VancouverGair Williamson and Chris Woodford; Gair Williamson Architects

Best Standard Room, <150 RoomsHôtel le Germain Calgary, CalgaryViateur Michaud, Pierre Mierski and Lucie Vaillancourt;LemayMichaud Architecture Design

Best Suite, 150+ RoomsFairmont Pacific Rim, VancouverJames Cheng (James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc.)

Best Spa or Pool, <150 RoomsShangri-La Hotel, VancouverN.Y. Chu; B+H Chil Design

Best Spa or Pool, 150+ RoomsSparkling Hill Resort, Vernon, B.C.Jennifer Kurtz, Shauna Root, Gerry Shinkewski and Susan Steeves;SSDG Interiors Inc.

SEEtoN REtIRESKeath Seeton, principal and partner of SSDG Interiors, has announced his retirement. Vet-eran associate Julie Campbell will be his suc-cessor, buying out his share of the partner-ship. Campbell joined the firm in 2000 and during that time has emerged as a leader in business, design and marketing. She will join Gerry Shinkewski and Susan Steeves on the leadership team.

SSDG Interiors is one of Vancouver’s top interior design firms specializing in corpo-rate, retail and hospitality spaces. It was founded in 1980 by Seeton and Shinkewski.

CELEBRAtING 50Interior Designers of Alberta celebrated its 50th Anniversary at VIVID Concepts Light-ing + Design in Edmonton this September. Designers, suppliers and others from the design community gathered for an evening celebrating this milestone.

IDA DESIGN WINNERSAlberta interior design excellence was cel-ebrated recently by IDA. Gold, silver and bronze awards for handed out in several categories. Gold winners were DIALOG for AIMCO Offices; B+H for Heenan Blaikie LLP; Thom Design for Taste Restaurant; and Walker Lawson Interior Design for Newalta Employee Child Centre.

PoGGENPoHL RELoCAtESGerman kitchen designer Poggenpohl has relocated their Calgary kitchen design cen-tre to the heart of Victoria Park in the cen-tral core. Serving Calgary for four years, the move will ensure a centrally located design centre for clients.

The new Poggenpohl kitchen design centre is now conveniently centrally located at 1302 - 1 St SW, five blocks south of the Hudson’s Bay Company. www.poggenpohl.ca

VANDUSEN oPENSVanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre, Canada’s first anticipated Living Building, open its doors in October. Designed by Busby Perkins + Will, the shape of the building was designed to replicate the leaves of an orchid with a stem located in the main atrium where visitors can take note of as they enter the lob-by. The stunning centre features a café, west-ern Canada’s largest horticultural library, classrooms, exhibit space, the VanDusen Garden Shop and more — and provide a liv-ing example of truly sustainable architecture. Sirewall, a locally developed green alterna-tive to wood was incorporated throughout the building’s interior and exterior.

NEW SHoWRooMMontauk Sofa has officially opened the doors to their new showroom in the city’s design district of Gastown. Under construction for the last two years, the revitalized 6,000 square foot heritage space parallels the rich design that the boutique family owned and operated eco-savvy brand is known for. With vision from chief Montauk furniture Designer Danny Chartier and Mal-len Architecture, Montauk Sofa’s glass store-front opens into a chic, two floored and open concept space with skylights breathing natural light into the minimally designed showroom. Operated by interior designer Ivan Quintana, the Vancouver showroom features pieces from Montauk’s signature line of seating designed for urban, sophisticated and fashionable appeal.

Documents

Design Quarterly - Fall 2011