The British Columbia Centre was a development proposal slated to be completed by 1975. At 208 metres, it would have been the tallest skyscraper in the city than the Living Shangri-La,. With the defeat of W.A.C. Bennett's Social Credit government in 1972, the plan was scrapped just as the construction phase was about to begin. Government officials saw this potential Skyscraper as a potential disruption to the current Vancouver Skyline. The New Democratic Party government of Dave Barrett responded to fears of the dark shadow that the building would cast on downtown, and commissioned a redesign from another architectural firm, Arthur Erickson Architects. The reconceptualization Erickson came up with was of a skyscraper laid on its back, the "B.C. Centre on its back." Erickson biographer Nicholas Olsberg describes the design as follows:
Arthur came in and said 'This won't be a corporate monument. Let's turn it on its side and let people walk all over it.' And he anchored it in such a way with the courts — the law — at one end and the museum — the arts — at the other. The foundations of society. And underneath it all, the government offices quietly supporting their people. It's almost a spiritual progression.
Features
The new development was completed between 1979 and 1983, encompassing three city blocks and providing of space. The main component is the glass-covered Law Courts, which houses 35 courtrooms in the southern block. It is in height, and the glass roof has a size of , is supported by a steel space frame structure, covering approximately of public space. The central block contains provincial government offices and, more recently, portions of the University of British Columbia's downtown satellite campus, UBC Robson Square, housed in the lower level. Above, three cascading waterfalls throughout the complex provide natural air conditioning with of water. An outdoor skating rink is located at the lower level that extends below Robson Street and connects to the northern block with the Vancouver Art Gallery, which was renovated as part of the project. Typical of Erickson's designs, Robson Square is constructed primarily out of concrete, but softened by its environmental design. In addition to the water features are trees and other flora as well as gradually inclining stairs with an integrated ramp. The open design allows for relatively unobstructed natural light and fresh air, and the waterfalls divert from the noise of downtown traffic. Landscaping on the project was designed by Cornelia Oberlander. This public square has been highly utilized due to its successful design. As referenced by , Plazas need specific elements to unlock the potential of an area for proper utilization and enjoyment. The Robson Square experience is considered successful, from a designer's point of view, because it follows Whyte's guidelines. The complex was completed in three stages at a cost of $139 million. The provincial government offices were finished first in 1978, the Law Courts the following year, and the renovation of the old provincial court building into the new Vancouver Art Gallery was completed in 1983, a decade after the design was started. As of November 23, 2009, Robson Square has been reopened following a multimillion-dollar reconstruction project. Its reopening can be directly attributed to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Robson Square provides the only public outdoor skating rink in Vancouver--and is free to use. The rink area is used in the milder months for various public events including Ballroom & Salsa dancing and is the hub for Vancouver's street-dance scene. As noted above, the skating rink is open in the winter; admission is free and skate rentals are $4.00.
Awards and criticism
The architecture and landscape architecture have received acclaim for excellence in design.
In 2011 the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada awarded its Prix du XXe siècle Award to the complex, describing the concept of a "linear urban park, importing nature into the city", as "a bold, contemplative work of urban design."
In 1982 the RAIC's awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal to the complex.
One of the main points of accessibility that this plaza has offered its users is an entry feature called the Robson Square Steps. This design has been highly utilized and considered a great achievement of the designer, Arthur Erikson. In 2017, local sources called into question the safety of the Robson Square Steps. The steepness of the steps is argued by few as a safety hazard. Additionally, the visually impaired are referenced in the safety concerns of this 40-year-old ramp and stairway design combination.
