D'Arcy Jones Design

Finally some substance in the Globe & Mail's Real Estate section.

Adele Weder contributes a profile on Vancouver's D'Arcy Jones Design. The article focuses on Jones' residential work and his desire to craft smaller, considered and finely detailed spaces rather than the standard resale-driven Vancouver monster home.

It's a well-deserved spotlight on Jones and yet another illuminating article on the West Coast modernist renaissance by Weder.

Vancouver Biennale

On July 15, an abundance of public art will begin populating our city as the 2009-2011 edition of the Vancouver Biennale ramps up. Installation runs from July until September and includes 30 major sculpture pieces and 60+ new media works.

As with the inaugural 2005-2007 biennale, some pieces will be retained at the end of the show. Let's hope for a better reception for these than that of Dennis Oppenheimer's Device to Root Out Evil, which after much consternation ended up at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary.

The objective of the show is to engage the city in a dialogue about art and the social value of public spaces and judging by the last go round, it succeeds wildly.

Now, if they'd just been able to keep John Henry's Jaguar.

Modern House Tours

The West Vancouver Museum and Archives and the Vancouver Heritage Foundation have announced their respective annual modern house tours.

The West Vancouver tour happens next month, on July 11, and will feature both contemporary and vintage modern architecture. The cost has understandably increased this year (to $100) and includes bus transportation and a wine reception at the end of the day at one of the featured houses. Last years' reception was held at the recently refurbished Forrest Residence, designed by Ron Thom in 1963.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation's Mid-Century Modern tour takes place on October 3 and, like West Vancouver's, will feature bus transportation and a reception at the end of the day at one of the houses. Last year's reception was at a Duncan McNabb-designed residence where Peter Oberlander gave a thoughtful talk that painted a rich portrait of the history of the modern movement in Vancouver.

The line-up of houses for both tours in past years has been excellent. It's a great chance to experience some of the city's unparalleled trove of modernist architecture.

Image: Stager Residence by Barry Downs, courtesy Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Erickson Memorial

A memorial service for Arthur Erickson will be held Sunday, June 14 at SFU's Convocation Mall. See Erickson's website for full details. 

State of Vancouver

For a more in depth discussion of the VAG's potential move to False Creek see Frances Bula's blog State of Vancouver. 

I've also added it to the blog roll to the right. The site is a great resource on Vancouver's civic fabric and expands upon her work in Vancouver Magazine and The Globe & Mail.