Po-Mo Monument Coming Down

The Terry Fox Memorial at BC Place is slated for demolition.

As part of the revitalization of BC Place, PavCo will dismantle the memorial in order to redesign the plaza and to make way for construction cranes that are building the new stadium roof.

There is much debate around this move–the Franklin Allen-designed memorial has long perplexed Vancouverites who have found it difficult to reconcile the design with the spirit of the man it is meant to celebrate. Its post-modern aesthetics have not helped the cause.

And yet it is a design firmly rooted in its era and one chosen by a committee that included Arthur Erickson and Abraham Rogatnick. It would be interesting to hear their comments, however both passed away last year. Despite its unpopularity, some kind of preservation plan through relocation might be worthwhile, if only as a curious part of our history.

The upside is that, at the suggestion of the Fox family, Douglas Coupland has been commissioned to design a new monument. It's hard to think of someone better suited to memorialize one of our great Canadians.

Abe's Wish

Abraham Rogatnick's posthumously published argument for keeping the VAG in its current location.

Abraham Rogatnick, 1923-2009

Abraham Rogatnick passed away on August 29, 2009.

The man's contributions to this city were enormous, from the New Design Gallery through teaching at UBC to his recent thoughts on the proposed Vancouver Art Gallery relocation.

I last saw him speak at the June service for Arthur Erickson at SFU where he delivered a ruminative and impassioned eulogy for his old friend, encapsulating the spirit of the man and the city which both called home.

He will be missed.

Binning + The Port Mann

One overlooked aspect of the Port Mann Bridge is the original colour scheme designed by B.C. Binning in 1963. 

Binning's recommendation of orange for the deck and yellow for the overarching span was meant to contrast with the prominent natural river setting and showcase the structural beauty of the bridge. 

His rationale for the scheme (explored further in Abraham Rogatnick's essay in the monograph B.C. Binning) shows an optimism and consideration for infrastructure that was reflective of prevailing thought at the time.

The bridge has since been painted entirely orange and the recent proposal to twin it has been ditched in favour of a plan that would see it demolished to make way for a 10 lane bridge to service the crossing. 

See The Globe & Mail for the most recent article.