I am no art expert. In fact, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I have only been inside the Vancouver Art Gallery once in 12 years. I have however, always admired it’s architectural significance in the city. Recently the VAG announced that they will be moving perhaps in 2013. That means we need to figure out what will replace it and spend the time to choose wisely.
Consider this my official plea to the city to replace the VAG with something cultural, interesting, something to offer personal growth, something to continue to allow the protestors and lingerers on the front steps, continue to be a place to congregate and be an icon in our downtown. I may never have participated in a rally myself on those steps, but I appreciate their existence and contribution to the fabric of our society. As a relatively young city, it is important for us to preserve the spirit as well as the art forms of the few unique, heritage, character filled buildings of our past. That means we need to preserve the exterior but also the ambiance. And whatever you do, please don’t make it into a Le Chateau.
When Koolhaus left the Bank of Nova Scotia building on 4th Avenue I was then also hopeful that something unique would take over the space. Instead it is a Le Chateau. Perhaps I’ve been living on the East Side now for too long. Rather than influencing the “hippie” and “passionate” people of Main Street and turning them into yuppie clones of myself, they have instead influenced me. I used to live at Cypress and 3rd Avenue and loved it. Last weekend I drove by and although I did still see some great beloved coffee shops, restaurants and shops I also saw the Foot Locker down the street from Le Chateau – too bad.
The individuality that made this neighbourhood so popular is certainly changing. Not all of the changes are bad, but the message here is that as a community we should fight to balance the new with the past which means exterior architecture as well as neighbourhood spirit. And for the record, I am not slogging Le Chateau or Foot Locker, I just would rather not see them take over the few stand-out unique buildings and independent, local neighbourhoods of the city.
Pro-Craftsman
On another architectural note, in response to Dan’s anti-craftsman sentiment. I would like to say proudly that I like craftsman. I like contemporary architecture as well and the architects he mentioned are certainly some of the best I’ve seen in our parts, but craftsman style is our heritage. People gravitate to it because it is timeless and they can see how enduring the style is. Look at the Vancouver Specials of the 80’s and most of us would rather pretend it was all a nightmare. These homes are dated. Craftsman style, particularly in its heritage form with colour variation and mature landscaping of the Westside, is timeless in our city which is why most people love it. They can see themselves how good it still looks.
Contemporary architecture is still relatively new, at the moment costs more to do well, and when done poorly, can be cold and misinterpreted. We certainly need more examples of it in the city, and done well contemporary homes can be equally as stunning as our heritage homes but no need to put them down because they are as equally important. Again, we must fight for the balance.
Suzana Goncalves
