Vancouver, BC, Canada
As Vancouver continues to grow and densify, the demands for outdoor civic space becomes increasingly more important. Citizens need outdoor space that is safe, accessible, and conducive to a range of activities. Prior to the plaza, this block of Robson Street already saw a high volume of pedestrian traffic sometimes at odds with cycling and vehicle traffic. This space is often used to meet, gather, protest, and celebrate—needs that also required a safe and conducive environment. The resulting design aims to embody this while also embracing the heritage aspects of the adjoining architecture.
In 2016, Nick Milkovich Architects and Hapa Collaborative were hired to convert the 800 block of Robson Street into a permanent civic plaza to complete the urban oasis at Robson Square. The team was joined by Studio Parsons, conducting an extensive stakeholder and public engagement process to establish the guiding principles for the project. A design concept was developed based on feedback from residents, businesses, visitors, plaza users, and businesses through in-depth consultation, including input from the original Robson Square architectural design team, who helped provide key design principles and concepts from preliminary plans. As a result, our goal was to strengthen Robson Plaza as a public oasis at the heart of the city by following these objectives:
+ Be an adaptive and flexible space that appeals to a wide range of users and uses, regardless of age or demographic
+ Serve as an important pedestrian thoroughfare connecting business districts and important civic institutions
+ Design a 24/7 space that is safe, secure, well-maintained and supported by stewards throughout the year
+ Reinforce the architectural and landscape aesthetic of Robson Square by unifying the design elements of blocks 51 and 61
+ Improve the interface between different modes of transportation adjacent to the site
+ Transform the lead in blocks to the site by improving traffic, cyclist and pedestrian flows as well as unifying the Robson Street character
With a supporting team of consultants, our goal was to transform the existing roadway into a new pedestrian-orientated plaza that would support daily activities and allow for new and exciting uses. The road was removed and the blocks were stitched together using original paving patterns. The double-rowed maple trees on Hornby Street were preserved. Heritage lighting was updated, and enhanced lighting and new seating were added, increasing comfort and safety.
Design Team: Nick Milkovich Architects + Hapa Collaborative
Completed: 2021