Robson Square

NameRobson SquareLocationVancouver, British Columbia, CanadaDesignerCornelia Hahn Oberlander (1921-) and Arthur Erickson (1924-2009)Area120,774 m2

Date of construction 1974-1983Works of artSpring, Alan Chung Hung, 1981; Bird of Spring, Abraham Etungat, 1979; Primary No. 9, Mike Banwell, 1981

Principal transformations: restoration of skating rink and cupola in 2009.

DescriptionIn the downtown core of Vancou-ver, Robson Square is built over three city blocks in the form of pu-blic spaces, gardens, and roof ter-races at different levels. The Van-couver Art Gallery, University of British Columbia’s Robson Square campus and the Law Courts Buil-ding (housing the B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) are the principal buildings that make up the ensemble and whose inte-riors link with the exterior spaces. On the Law Courts Building, the garden and its vegetation cover much of the glass roof and pools of water cascade from one level to another. Since its construction, Robson Square has served as a meeting place for Vancouverites. The diverse spaces offer different

uses and activities throughout the year, most notably the public skating rink open in the winter.

Historic significanceRobson Square results from an ur-ban mega-project conceived as revita-lization for this sector of the city in the 1970s. It is a very good example of the urban revitaliza-tion movement of that era which influenced massive government projects integrating public spaces, gardens and squares - Les Ter-rasses de la Chaudière in Gatineau and the Complexe Guy-Favreau in Montreal are others. Over the

course of its history, Robson Square has received many prizes and awards in recognition of the innovative character of its urban public spaces that bring together nature and architecture. Among its awards are the 1979 Pres-ident’s Award of Excellence from the American Society of Lands-cape Architects, the Massey Me-

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1 View of stairs on the central block, 2012. Photo : Nicole Valois

2 View of terraced gardens along Hornby St., 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

3 View of terraced gardens from the central block, 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

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dal for Architecture in 1982 and the 2011 RAIC Prix du XXe siècle.

Architectural and landscape significanceRobson Square is a very good example of multi-disciplinarity – to the point of it being difficult to se-

parate out the work of the archi-tects from that of the landscape architects, so entwined are the gardens, public spaces and buil-dings. The ensemble has great aesthetic qualities expressed by the good use of materials and in the equitable balance between

open and closed spaces, between hard and soft landscaping. Using concrete for the planters, lamp standards and trash cans and wood for the benches are both uses typical of the urban furniture materials of that period. Vegeta-tion is varied in texture and colour,

Canada ReseaRCh ChaiR on Built heRitage, udem

4 Site plan, extract from Progressive Architecture, Vol. 62.Source: ARCH 82143 / 17.12, Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), cf. references p. 4.

5 Aerial view, 1986.Source: City of Vancouver Archives (ref. CVA-784-115).

6 Section of building with landscape in foreground.Source: ARCH 82143 / 17.12, Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), cf. references p. 4.

7 Detail of stairs, 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

8 Photo of presentation model.Source: Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), cf. references p. 4.

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and its composition makes the transitions between interior and exterior very fluid. Plants were also used with great care to retain slopes, to create spaces protec-ted from the street and to embel-lish the low concrete walls. There is continuity both in aesthetics and in circulation as three monumen-tal concrete stairways allow one to move from one level to another, from the terrace gardens of the public spaces at ground level to the skating rink below grade. The same shift of levels applies to the shallow pools of water where the water falls from one level to ano-ther. The terrace gardens include

alcoves with benches for rest and contemplation.

This space is a landmark in the city of Vancouver. It contributes signi-ficantly to the social life of the city as a venue for events, for pro-tests and demonstrations. There

is a very real compatibility between the buildings, the exterior spaces and the ways in which they are used, most particularly between the spaces of UBC Robson Square and the skating rink located below grade. All have been well preser-ved through the years. n

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9 Detail of stairs, 2012. Photo : Nicole Valois

10 View of garden terraces from central block, 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

11 View towards north block from shallow pools of water, 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

12 View of vegetation on garden terraces, 2012.Photo : Nicole Valois

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Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia

Selected references

• B.R. 1980. “Vancouver’s Robson Square.” Urban Design International 1(5), p. 34-35.

• Cornelia H. Oberlander fonds - 75, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal.

• Oberlander, C.H. 1981. “An Oasis in the City.” Landscape Architecture Review 2(2), p. 6-15.

• Polo, M. 1994. “Robson Square and Law Courts.” The Canadian Architect 39 (3), p 44-45.

• Robson Square. ArchINFORM. http://eng.archinform.net/projekte/9397.htm accessed March 4, 2014.

• Rosenberg, A. 1986. Robson Square. North Vancouver, Capilano College.

• Stinson, K. 2008. Love Every Leaf: The Life of Landscape Architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander. Toronto, Tundra Books.

• Whiteson, L. 1983. Modern Canadian Architecture. Edmonton, Hurtig Publishers Ltd.

• Williams, R. 1994. “Series presents top landscape architect.” The Gazette, Montreal.

• References for rendering, drawing and photo page 2: Image 4, page 2Arthur Erickson Architects, Daryl Plater architectural firm, draftsmanThree Block Project, Robson Square, Vancouver: plan from 1973 to 1981Photomechanical representation, 45.7 x 116.8 cm – ARCH82134Arthur Erickson fonds, Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture / Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal.

Image 6, page 2Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, landscape architect, Arthur Erickson Architects, Daryl Plater architectural firm, draftsmanRobson Square Provincial Government Complex, Vancouver: transverse section from 1973 to 1982Photostat, 21.6 x 28 cm – AP075.S1.D003.P002.001Cornelia Hahn Oberlander fonds, Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture / Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal: Gift of Cornelia Hahn Oberlander © Cornelia Hahn Oberlander.

Image 8, page 2Arthur Erickson Architects, architectural firm.Three Block Project, Robson Square, Vancouver: view of model 1973 to 1981Silver gelatin proof mounted on foamcore, 92 x 92 cm – ARCH268536Arthur Erickson fonds, Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture / Canadian Centre for Architecture, MontrealÉpreuve argentique à la gélatine montée sur carton-mousse, 92 × 92 cm - ARCH268536.

To cite this article:• Valois, N., C. Déom and C. Cameron. 2014. Les valeurs patrimoniales vues par le public: étude de cas – Phase 1

– Robson Square. Récupéré de http://www.patrimoinebati.umontreal.ca/fr/projets-de-recherche/projets-en-cours/les-valeurs-patrimoniales-vues-par-la-public-etudes-de-cas/