970 Union Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Villa Cathay Care Home Society

Description

Villa Cathay Care Home had been providing “Complex Care” since 1973. The Vancouver Coastal Health new 2007 guidelines are the current standards, necessitating the rejuvenation of this 35 year-old residential care facility. Replacement of existing 158 beds, plus new additions, for a total of 224 beds.

Status

Completion of rezoning in 2013. Phase 1 10 storey Tower was completed in 2018, and Phase 2 3 storey wood frame building in October 2021

Gospel Rock Village, Block 7, Town of Gibsons, B.C.

Client

Greenlane Homes

Description

This is a rezoning of approximately 47 acres of land within the Town of Gibsons, a change of zoning from single-family residential to zoning designations such as a mix of neighbourhood-serving and tourist commercial use; a mix of residential types and tenures (including single-family detached, townhomes, condos, live/work and market rental); and, an expanded park and open space network. The proposal emphasizes three significant improvements to the current OCP: protect the greenspace, connect the park and activate the Village. Rezoning completed. Development Permits are approved for Village Centre Inn, Townhouse and Apartment. Building Permit application is submitted.

Status

2017 - Present

921 Seaborne Avenue, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Client

M&J SPS Holdings Ltd.

Description

This is a purposely built sports facility in the light industrial zone adjacent to the growing residential neighbourhood. It includes 18 badminton and light volleyball courts and 12 table tennis courts.

The design uses a combination of overlapping panels to establish a repeating pattern of reveals and varying heights of coloured panels to evoke the shape of badminton racquets and table tennis paddles. In addition to providing variation and character to all elevations, they hint at the activity within.

Status

Completed October 2022

31 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS)

Description

Alterations and additions to an existing three-storey Heritage building into: 24-du of self-contained assisted living units, at 320 sf each; 18 units for a Healing Lodge at the 5th, 6th, and 7th levels with “lock-off" options; communal dining facilities on the ground level; an art gallery/studio, also on the ground floor; and a workshop in the basement, also included are interactive art and historical displays under the sidewalk. There is a direct connection to a sizeable existing courtyard to the adjacent 27 West Pender St. building, also operated by the VNHS.

Building Area: approximately 28,000 sf.

Construction Cost

$7.8 M

Status

Completed in June 2012

Award

RBGV Award for Social Housing 2012

City of Vancouver Urban Design Award 2016

5 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Pip Peri Pembo Management Ltd.

Description

The Chinese Freemasons Building was built in 1907. In 1974, the building underwent a renovation from its original masonry/wood frame to a steel structural building for office use. Restoration Project 2004- 2007: Conversion of office use to 11 residential units for seniors; restoration of façades according to historical documents.

Building Area: approximately 28,000 sf.

Construction Cost

$4.0 M

Status

Completed in Februry 2007

Awards

AIBC Special Jury Award, 2008

Heritage B.C. Outstanding Achievement Award 2009

Vancouver Heritage Award 2009

Vancouver, B.C.

Client

The Chinese Cultural Centre of Vancouver

Description

A 28,000 square foot community Museum/Library for special collections of Chinese and Chinese-Canadian artifacts and publications. It is the latest phase of the Cultural Centre, situated adjacent to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park and Classical Garden. It is designed to be compatible with the character of the adjacent Ming Dynasty Suzhou-style garden, while being equipped with and functioning as a highly contemporary cultural facility. Roof tiles and specialty components were made in China and installed by craftsmen from Nanjing.

Construction Cost

$3.3 M

Status

Completed in 1998

Awards

Vancouver Heritage Award 1999

Fort Fraser, B.C.

Client

Nadleh Whut’en First Nation Council

Description

2500 square metres of Band administration, health clinic, classroom, recreation and assembly spaces, supported by a community kitchen. The building design is based on a 100+ year facility lifespan, with green building principles grounded in, and inspired by, Passive House design concepts. This project was designed by EVANS ARCHITECTS + JOE Y. WAI ARCHITECT INC. in Joint Venture. ​

Construction Cost

$19.3 million

Status

Completed in October 2016

239 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Lore Krill Co-operative Housing

Description

The project is a 97-du 10-storey Affordable Housing project with 5,000 sf. ground level commercial use. Located in the Historical Area HA.1A Zoning in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Addressing the HA.1A Guidelines, traditional reddish brick is used with muted textured concrete and glass. Colourful accent colours are assigned in the appropriate components, inclusive of window sashes, canopies, balconies, and outdoor playspace elements. This project is part of the City of Vancouver’s ongoing Chinatown Revitalization Plan, by facilitating sound and affordable housing in this Historic Area. The project also has active retail/commercial use at the Ground Level.

Construction Cost

$12 M

Status

Completed in July 2002

27 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Vancouver Native Housing Society

Description

An irregular site with stringent setbacks and building envelope restrictions combine to create the unique floor plan for this 100-unit housing development. Located in the Downtown District of Vancouver, the project takes advantage of the smaller units permitted by new Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing guidelines. Brick veneer with traditional detailing, combined with a prefinished metal panel system are intended to consider both current and historical material. A second floor roof garden, screened from the street with extensive planting, will provide a quiet resting place for residents. This outdoor space has since been connected with the Skwachàys Healing Lodge in 2012.

Construction Cost

$6.3 M

Status

Completed in November 2000

180 Keefer Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Chinatown Merchants Association (CMA) Parking Association

Description

This project provides approximately 950 requisite parking spaces to Vancouver’s Historic Chinatown District. Designed primarily as a parking facility, the project also incorporates storefront retail units and a 1000 m² multipurpose concourse area surrounded by smaller shops in a variety of configurations. On the third level, there is also a 1000-seat Chinese restaurant. The exterior design and finishes demonstrate the effects of the existing and impending Design Guidelines for the Historic Chinatown of Vancouver. These include the vertical rhythm at 25’0" o/c, balconies, cornices and motifs that define the character of this District. Building Area: approximately 25,850 m² parking and 6,850 m² commercial space

Construction Cost

$16.5 M

Status

Completed in July 1995

578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

City of Vancouver (Park) Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden Society of Vancouver (Classical Garden)

Description

A 1.5 acre civic park, including an 8,000 square foot authentic Classical Chinese Garden, the first to be built in North America. The design principles stem from an art form that has evolved and been refined over a period of 2500 years. This Garden is a fine example of the Ming Dynasty period (1368—1644) and was inspired by specific and wellknown gardens in Suzhou. In contrast to the strong axial geometry of palatial Chinese architecture, the Garden is a seemingly unending organic composition of natural and manmade elements - a fundamental Chinese philosophical statement of contrast and harmony.

Construction Cost

$1,500,000 (Park) and $5,300,000 (Classical Garden)

Status

Completed in 1986

THE EXPANSION PROJECT

Locally designed by Joe Y. Wai Architect, Inc. and locally constructed, this 5,500 sf. Expansion Project includes a new education pavilion, gift shop and offices. A new Courtyard is also included. Completed 2004 at $1.6M.

Awards

The American Society of Landscape Architects Award 1987

City of Vancouver Heritage Award for the Expansion Project 2005

0 Block of West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Client

Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate Society

Description

The Project was designed as a millennium project for Vancouver as a Gateway to Chinatown. The Gate has been carefully modeled on Classical Chinese gates. The proportions of the opening, in particular, reflect classical examples. This Gate has also been inspired by the Four Inner-City Gates in Beijing of the 19th to early 20th Century. Decorative elements of interest are the traditional costumes from the seven main races of China and 10 classical and ancient musical instruments. Special consultants include Chi-Ho Yeung, graphic designer, and Joseph Ip, Feng Shui Master. The design was completed almost entirely with local materials and labour. Only the ceramic roof tiles were imported. Considered applications of fibreglas and computerdesigned decorative images were incorporated with the pre-cast concrete and structural steel structure.

Construction Cost

$780,000

Status

Completed July 2002