That was the week that was...

I once went to a camp in the Catskills with a fellow who lived on New York's Park Avenue who ended each day by giving it a grade. "Today was an 8 he would say".

As I reflect over the past week, I'd have to give it a very high mark too. I took a sustainability trip around the world at Globe 2012; I visited Avant, which has to be one of Vancouver's most innovative new housing developments; I had a guided visit around Mount Pleasant with a very pleasant architect who has been actively involved with smaller infill developments in the area; I saw a very unusual use of parking spaces just off Main Street; I participated in a 'debate' with Gordon Gibson and Peter Ladner on whether it is time to put the brakes on growth in Vancouver; I checked out some older Kerrisdale Coops and a once controversial infill development and later that day spoke to some members of the Arbutus Ridge, Kerrisdale and Shaughnessy ratepayers (ARKS) about the need for new development in their neigbhourhoods.

Oh yes, and I also received an invitation from the government of the Netherlands to attend the forthcoming 5th International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam and spend a week touring the latest Dutch developments and innovations in housing and sustainability. That all happens next month.At Globe I came across a few things of special interest to me...Dow is starting to manufacture solar panel roof shingles that can be applied like regular roof shingles. An attractive idea especially for heritage buildings.I was also fascinated by some of the new electric bikes on display. I'm sure these will become very popular, especially with old guys like me who have trouble getting up the hills. My one concern~how do you stop people from stealing them?One of Vancouver's most innovative new projects
Avant is at the corner of Wall Street and Renfrew with dramatic views of the industrial waterfront. Developed by Aragon Properties, one of the region's most innovative development companies, it comprises stacked townhouses on a multi-family zoned site previously occupied by an industrial building. I think a book could be written about this project which started as conventional apartments that were opposed by the community, and subsequently by City staff.The developer, working with Ramsay Warden Architects, then proposed a number of smaller buildings comprising stacked townhouses that allowed views through the site over an underground garage. The developer incorporated geothermal energy and other sustainability features, in part in the hope this would facilitate the approval process. But it didn't. Moreover, the heating system added to the project's complexity, and meeting Buiding and Fire Department fire and safety requirments. (You really shouldn't be trying to run all those pipes through an unheated underground garage, and snaking heating ducts through side by side and stacked townhouses!)

Not surprisingly, both the developer and City staff offer different accounts for the complex designs and approval process. I think they're both right....and wrong...but other than that, am not really in a position to take sides.

What is undeniable, however, is the most impressive and very expensive array of mechanical equipment in the basement which will ensure that none of the purchasers will ever burn to death at Avant!Speaking of purchasers, the units go on sale this weekend at prices which reflect the costly design and construction, and surprisingly high standard of interior and exterior finishes. I hope it sells well. Check it out at http://aragon.ca/sales/avant/

My guide in Mount Pleasant was Robert Chester, an architect who I met at an AIBC meeting arranged to provide input into the Building Form and Design Roundtable. He showed me an infill project that involved renovating an old house, converting it into three suites, and adding a coach house over the parking along the lane. The result is an increasingly desirable form of development, although Robert cautioned me that you really have to know your way around the RT zoning bylaws to succeed with this type of undertaking.Nearby I saw a very interesting townhouse project with a couple of stacked units, which placed 9 units on a small corner lot. This is the type of project I'd like to see proliferate around the city, although the underground parking does add to the building costs and prices.This parking meter isn't generating much revenue!
Just off Main Street I came across a 'pocket seating area' which occupies two parking spaces outside of a cafe. Hmmmmm, as Frances Bula would say. The City is looking for community input on this very interesting use of a portion of a city road.My trip around Kerrisdale took me to 45th and Macdonald where Brian Bell undertook a controversial infill project many years ago. It involved adding a number of new units on a large property and preservation of a large older house. Today everybody loves it! Finally, I was fascinated by some of the older buildings along West Boulevard with their rear lane parking solutions. Some had parking under the buildings; others had individual garages along the lane. Yes, apartments with individual garages. Now, why not add laneway units above them!Many people wonder why we don't build smaller, more modest apartment buildings with laneway parking today. This is something my Report to the Mayor's Task Force on Affordable Housing attempts to address. And speaking of the report, thanks to Mitra Mansour, a young architectual graduate turned graphic designer for pulling it together over the past week.

A very good week!