PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
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Plaza of Nations (6b)
Concord Pacific (6c)
BC Place (10)
Along with Canadian Metropolitan Properties at the Plaza of
Nations, there are 8 other major stakeholders in the Events &
Entertainment District shown in the diagram below.
Stakeholders
Urban ContextPlaza of Nations is a new waterfront neighborhood in Northeast False Creek, located southeast of BC place, between Pacific Boulevard and the seawall. It is one of
Vancouver’s last undeveloped waterfront properties and will become an integral component of the Events & Entertainment District, a vibrant area also comprising BC
Place Stadium and Rogers Arena.
Plaza of Nations
Rogers Arena
Site 10C
Creekside Park
Creekside Park Extension
Andy Livingstone Park
Main Street Blocks
SEAWALL
PACIFIC BLVD
GEORGIA ST
CIVICPLAZA
CREEKSIDEPARK
COOPERSPARK
HINGE
PARK
ROBSO
N ST
FOCAL POINT
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
PUBLIC REALMPROGRAMMING
ANIMATION
PLACE MAKING (CREATING A “THERE, THERE”)
CONNECTIVITY
INNOVATIVE DESIGN FOCAL POINT PACIFIC BLVDGEORGIA ST
Placemaking Principles
Continue the seawall
through the site while
connecting it with
public spaces & parks
and provide the public
with access to the
water
Create a network of
restaurants, shops, and
amenities that can be
enjoyed by the public,
special interest groups,
and residents of the
future developments
Portofino is a coastal village in Northwestern Italy, well-loved for its picturesque
setting and fine grain proportions. Its harbor is half-moon shaped and of similar
proportion to the shoreline of Northeast False Creek. Furthermore, Georgia
Plaza’s central location is framed similarly to Portofino’s Piazzetta, a small
cobbled square overlooking their harbor. Portofino’s success partly lies in its
pedestrian-friendly proportions, granularity, and texture; all themes explored in
the Plaza of Nations scheme.
There are several important pathways and roadways connecting individuals to
the Plaza of Nations site. Robson Street and Georgia Street provide important
pedestrian connections to the site, whereas Pacific Boulevard serves as a main
vehicular artery. A continuous seawall, lined with restaurants, patios, retail shops
and cafes will run along the water’s edge, also providing pedestrian and cyclist
connections to the site. Lastly a central plaza will provide a strong axis leading
pedestrians from BC Place’s south entrance to the waterfront.
Our place making principles are based on one simple question: How do we create a “there, there”, or how do we create a place? We believe that places are made
through a combination of animation and connectivity. Animation means using a combination of programming, public spaces, and innovative design to ensure this place
is lively and occupied. Connectivity means that this place should be connected to the areas around it, as well as to major arteries that run through the city.
Develop an urban
planning approach with
a unique & sustainable
architectural
response and create
opportunities for
sculptural interventions
and public art
Recognize Georgia
Street as a ceremonial
street which ends
in a civic plaza and
create opportunities
to connect the site
and the seawall to this
plaza
A civic plaza and view
to Science World
as the terminus of
Georgia Street to
create a focal point at
False Creek mirroring
the Jubilee Fountain at
Lost Lagoon
Embrace Pacific Blvd -
reinforce it’s character
as a two way street and
create opportunities to
connect pedestrians to
the water and connect
the site to BC Place
ConnectivityRelationship to the Water
Guiding Principles
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Terrace Scheme
1956 Sketch of Vancouver’s West End, Arthur Erickson
Moving away from Vancouver’s standard tower-podium typology, the Plaza of Nations masterplan proposes a fluid and continuous terracing landscape that enhances
the backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. Strategically positioned to capture natural sunlight, this habitable topography wanders along the seawall providing new
pedestrian infrastructure, multiple public spaces and stunning views to the city and False Creek’s Waterfront. Merging landscape and architecture further enhances
Vancouver’s strong natural and urban interface and contributes to a unique sense of place. Inspired by the urban forest on the Plaza of Nations site, this project
envisions to increase biodiversity by extending vegetation vertically onto a series of landscaped terraces. This “vertical green” provides a network of natural corridors, in
similar fashion to the precedents below. No detailed architectural design has been done, as we are only looking at the overall massing at this stage. The images below
are shown to suggest ideas for how the built form may develop.
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PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Perspective Views
VIEW FROM SEAWALL LOOKING WESTVIEW FROM EXPO FOREST
GREEN TERRACEPUBLIC BRIDGE
CONNECTING TERRACES
PUBLIC TERRACES AND
RESTAURANT PATIOS
SEAWALL
OPEN PUBLIC PLAZA
PUBLIC STEPS DOWN
TO WATER
SCULPTURAL PUBLIC
LOOKOUT
URBAN FOREST
PUBLIC DOCK
PORTAL FOR PEDESTRIANS &
CYCLISTS
FLOATING RESTAURANTS
COMMERCIAL RESTAURANTS/CAFES/
SHOPS AT GROUND FLOOR
OPEN SPACE FOR RESTAURANT/
CAFE SEATING
MARINA
SEAWALL
VEHICULAR ACCESS AT REAR
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Perspective Views
VIEW FROM PACIFIC BOULEVARD LOOKING WEST
VIEW FROM SEAWALL LOOKING SOUTH TO WATERFRONT OPEN SPACE
VIEW FROM SEAWALL LOOKING NORTH TOWARDS BC PLACE
VIEW OVERLOOKING CENTRAL PLAZA
VIEW FROM SEAWALL LOOKING EAST
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Perspective Views
VIEW FROM THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE
VIEW FROM SCIENCE WORLD
VIEW FROM OLYMPIC VILLAGE
VIEW FROM SEAWALL LOOKING EAST VIEW FROM CENTRAL PLAZA TO BC PLACE
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
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Sun Studies
SPRING EQUINOX - 10 AM SPRING EQUINOX - 12 PM SPRING EQUINOX - 2 PM SPRING EQUINOX - 4 PM
SUMMER SOLSTICE - 10 AM SUMMER SOLSTICE - 12 PM SUMMER SOLSTICE - 2 PM SUMMER SOLSTICE - 4 PM
FALL EQUINOX - 1O AM FALL EQUINOX - 12 PM FALL EQUINOX - 2 PM FALL EQUINOX - 4 PM
WINTER SOLSTICE - 10 AM WINTER SOLSTICE - 12 PM WINTER SOLSTICE - 2 PM WINTER SOLSTICE - 4 PM
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Public Amenities
Social Housing
Approximately 20% of
residential dedicated to
social housing
Ice rink
Vancouver Canucks
training facility
open to the public
Childcare
11,548 SF of indoor space
5,885 sf of dedicated outdoor
space
Parks & Open Spaces
Public roof terraces
Green space
Community gardens
Urban farming
Cycling
Dedicated bike lanes
Minimum of 1885 bicycle
parking spaces
Social
Central plaza
for restaurant seating,
events, and assembly
Community centre
108,774 sf community
centre with access to
outdoor roof terrace
Cultural
Public art
Gallery/presentation space
inside the community centre
Transportation
Within 400 m radius:
4 bus routes
Skytrain
Ferry route
EV Charging
305 electric vehicle charging
stations for residential &
commercial use
PLAZA OF NATIONS I NEFC OPEN HOUSE I NOVEMBER 2017
Public Realm
Open Plaza
Strategically positionedto capture afternoonsun, this open plaza also provides flexible
opportunities for cultural expression and
performing arts.
Steps down to the Water
The open plaza graduallysteps down to the water with
a series of steps, providing public access to the water’s
edge. These steps will becomea favorite spot to catch the
sunlight in the summer.
Natural Water’s Edge
On the western edge ofthe site, the legacy forest
will be enhanced withnew trees and understory
plants. The foreshore will also be ecologically
enhanced.
Shops & Restaurants
This central axis leads spectators towards the
site’s central plaza, a vibrant pedestrian corridor
lined with various shopsand restaurants.
Roofscape
The continuous terracedroofscape creates a dynamic network of
public spaces connectedby bridges and terraced
forms.
Waterside Cafes
Restaurants and shopsanimate street frontages with a fine grain pattern,
whereas larger commercialspaces and offices will belocated on the second and
third floor levels.
Floating Restaurants
A water lot on the southern edge of the
site allows for floating restaurants and terraces
that can be enjoyedyear-round.
Plaza
The plaza becomes aflexible gathering space
that can host a multitudeof events year-round.
Promenade
A central axis extends from BC Places’ Southern
Entrance towards theseawall.
Cover from the Rain
This public space, partially covered from the elements, aims to fostersocial interaction among
the community.