New Westminster's new civic centre aiming to be an iconic building
BY THERESA MCMANUS, NEW WEST RECORD MARCH 29, 2011
The architectural team charged with designing the new civic centre continues to refine its designs for the project and ensure that the building won't be a "misfit" on Columbia Street.
Roger Hughes, a principal at Hughes Condon Marler Architects, gave council an overview of the latest concepts for the civic centre on Monday. Much of the discussion at council's working session focused on the exterior appearance of the building and the way it will relate to buildings in the Columbia Street Historic District. The design team is putting together its schematic design booklet, which will include possible materials for the building and the costs associated with using those materials. It expects to present the schematic designs to council by the end of April.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy some residents have told him they are concerned how the building will fit in with the Columbia Street Historic District.
"I am encouraging an open mind," he said about the design. "It is important to some of our citizens that they feel it is not a complete misfit to the surroundings."
Hughes believes the proposed design incorporates "classical proportions" that relate well with other buildings in the heritage district.
Coun. Jonathan Cote said the biggest challenge is to create something that fits into the historic district but still makes a statement.
While people have one image of heritage - red brick buildings with arches, Hughes said New Westminster's heritage buildings have been built using a variety of designs and materials. He said the civic centre should be iconic, have classical proportions and be in scale with the buildings around it.
"There's a broad range of materials on Columbia Street and a broad range of styles as well," Hughes said. "We need to do something today that speaks to today."
Coun. Bill Harper wants the building to be iconic in its design, so people can immediately recognize it as a building of significance in the city. . . .
Read more:
http://www.royalcityrecord.com/Westm...#ixzz1I2K1UM00