Architecture Foundation of British Columbia Awards of Excellence Announced

The winners of the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia (AFBC) Architectural Awards of Excellence—the highest level of architectural awards in British Columbia—were announced on November 3, 2021, at the Polygon Gallery.

Pearl Block received a Design Excellence Award. RJC provided structural engineering and building envelope services. Developed by Aryze Developments, Pearl Block is a collection of six thoughtfully designed 3-bedroom townhomes that introduce soft density to the established Oaklands neighbourhood. Situated on a challenging triangular lot that had been vacant for close to 65 years, Pearl Block is the epitome of creative infill development. Designed by D'Arcy Jones Architects, the building's layout is informed by the unique constraints of the lot. The result is attainable architecture—townhomes that challenge the notion of the single-family home.

NƏ́C’AʔMAT CT Strathcona Library/YWCA Cause We Care House by DIALOG was awarded an Equity Award. RJC was the structural engineer. The YWCA Cause We Care House and VPL nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch serve as a full service library with community functions and has a six-storey building which provides social housing units for single mothers and their children. The social housing portion features 21 units along with 4,500 sq. ft. of additional space where medical services and community programs are provided. The building is designed to support and unite the community and has been named nə́c̓aʔmat ct which means "we are one" in Musqueam.

The AFBC Architectural Awards of Excellence Jury reviewed more than 106 submissions in order to select the recipients. The jury measured the overall quality of each submission based on the following criteria: Theory and Design Principles, Program and Client, Context and Site, Budget and Time Constraints, and Sustainability Principles.

“Our aim is to recognize and celebrate design excellence for projects across the province. Our approach was to modernize and expand the Awards to emphasize inclusivity, and broaden the voice of the profession of architecture in BC,” says the organization.