Floating, saw-toothed photo gallery being built in North Vancouver
Ground has broken on a landmark cultural building in North Vancouver, Canada.
Currently being developed on a new waterfront plaza, the Polygon Gallery will display the country's largest collection of independent photography and host Canadian and international art exhibitions, public events and art education programmes.
The project, which is set to open in 2017, has been designed by Canadian studio Patkau Architects.
The 23,000sq ft (2,100sq m) building will feature a saw-tooth roof profile and fully glazed ground floor walls, which will create the impression the building is hovering in mid-air. In contrast, the upper level will be clad will crumpled shingles that shimmer under changing light conditions.
“The Polygon Gallery is a small building so to establish a distinct identity and allow it to hold its own within the waterfront context, the form is both simple and bold,” said the architects in a statement.
The gallery will have a lobby, gallery shop and waterfront bar on the ground level, which is visualised as an extension of the surrounding public realm. The major exhibition space will feature on the upper level, described by the architects as a “rugged, flexible, naturally top-lit exhibition space: an armature for artists and art”.
The construction has been supported by CAN$4m (US$2.8m, £1.9m, €2.6m) in donations from real estate company Polygon Homes and the Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts. A further CAN$7.5m (US$5.2m, £3.7m, €4.8m) has been provided by the federal, provincial and city governments.
"This stunning facility will provide a unique and innovative space to explore very high quality arts and culture in our community," said member of parliament for North Vancouver Jonathan Wilkinson. "I am impressed with the diverse range of funders that have been brought together in support of this endeavour and am proud that the Canadian government has made a significant contribution".
The gallery was previously operated in a different location as the Presentation House Gallery. In the past it has featured the work of acclaimed local visual artists Stan Douglas, Liz Magor and Ian Wallace and international figures such as Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus and Andy Warhol.
Architecture design Vancouver Canada photographs art gallery Polygon Presentation HouseVancouver Art Gallery seeks funding for Herzog and de Meuron-designed redevelopment
Vancouver Aquarium wins management bid for Spain's L’Oceanogràfic
Canada's Playland set to get major makeover
Herzog & de Meuron to design new, expanded Vancouver Art Gallery
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Early-onset MS inspired Adria Lake to explore resilience as both a healing modality and an approach to design in the creation of her new home and company headquarters in Colorado