AFBC 2019 Lt Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture

The Architecture Foundation of British Columbia (AFBC) has revealed the winners of the 2019 Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture. These awards celebrate the architectural excellence in buildings completed in the last three years and designed by BC registered Architects. Award types included two Medal Level Awards, three Merit Level Awards, one Innovation Award, and two Special Jury Awards.

Among the winning projects, Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver, BC received a Medal Level Award, and Temple of Light in Kootenay Bay, BC received the only Innovation Award. Both projects were led by Patkau Architects, serving as testament to the firm’s capabilities.

Polygon Gallery is a two-story art gallery located on North Vancouver’s waterfront. Space requirements include a fully glazed lobby, multipurpose community space, cafe, retail enclosed with exhibition spaces, administration and back-of-house spaces, as well as a glazed events gallery including exterior terrace. This project was designed to ASHRAE 90.1 2010 standards, with sustainability features including hook-up to Lonsdale Energy Corporation offsite hot water systems, daylighting, natural ventilation to area outside of principal exhibition spaces, and recycled aluminum cladding.

The Yasodhara Ashram Temple of Light displays elements of symbolism in its dome shape and placement of windows, doors, and panels. The Yasodhara Ashram made use of simple, local climate-adapted features in location to minimize the impact on the existing infrastructure and minimize energy use. Natural light is a key medium and defining feature of this project. Light and space optimization have given this Temple a bright, open-concept lay out, with light entering between the structure’s wood-framed, petal-shaped panels, and through the crown. The new facility has been built on the concrete foundations of the former building, with all new mechanical HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. A high-performance building envelope, glazing, geothermal systems, and photovoltaic arrays account for a projected 108 MJ/m^2/yr or less in energy consumption.

Congratulations to all of the winning projects of this year’s Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture.

For a complete list of winners, please visit AFBC 2019 Award Recipients.