Identifying and preserving the heritage sites in our communities acknowledges the important link to the past and our shared heritage. Heritage BC recently announced a new Japanese-Canadian Historic Places Recognition Project to be completed on behalf of the British Columbia Ministry of International Trade and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. They are seeking nominations of historic places of place with heritage values believed to be significant or important to the Japanese-Canadian community in BC.

Four opportunities to connect with our heritage, up close and personal, through walking tours around Metro Vancouver organized by Heritage Vancouver, AIBC, The Elders Council for Parks and North Vancouver Museum & Archives.

Over the years RATIO has worked on transforming a West Vancouver heritage building, Gertrude Lawson House, to the multi-use West Vancouver Museum & Archives building.

One of Canada’s National Historic Sites, the Triple Island Lighthouse, is to receive a complete heritage rehabilitation. RATIO has been commissioned to lead the design including a seismic upgrade and overall building refurbishment. Mike Mammone, RATIO principal, recently made a site visit and took these stunning shots from the helicopter and ground. RATIO’s work on this project is already underway with construction commencing this spring.

The conservation of heritage buildings results in economic, cultural and environmental benefits to communities. Municipalities see the impact of heritage conservation through civic pride and a sense of place with architectural diversity. Economic benefits are felt through tourism, enhanced property values and employment. The investment in heritage conservation — whether through preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or adaptive reuse — aligns with municipal sustainability strategies that will drive economic, cultural and environmental benefits to its residents. RATIO has worked on a number of heritage projects that have turned into award-winning, much loved public facilities.

The best loved buildings in BC have been nominated and voted on in the Architectural Foundation of BC’s 100 Best Buildings Contest. RATIO is proud to have designed or involvement in four of the projects nominated. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.

To celebrate 100 years of architecture in British Columbia, the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia is staging the 100 Best Buildings Contest.

This spring BC residents were invited to nominate their favourite building in which to live, work or play. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.

Nominations have closed but now it is time for the public to vote for their favourites to make up the Top 100 Buildings. Have your say and vote now. The top 25 will be chosen from each of the four regions. This October judges will determine the top 3 winning buildings from each region.