On behalf of The Polygon, a very proud congratulations to John and Patricia Patkau, and Peter Suter of Patkau Architects, on the announcement of a 2021 Architecture Award from The American Institute of Architects for its building.
The new gallery’s central mass floats above the ground plane, providing access to a new public space and a sweeping view of Vancouver’s skyline across the inlet. It is marked with an iconic sawtooth profile clad in mirrored stainless steel sitting beneath expanded aluminum decking. The facade’s materials play off one another, lending a sense of mass and depth that shifts with differing sunlight conditions and the evening atmosphere.
Inside, the exhibition spaces remain free of obstacles, creating space for creativity to reign. Steel purlins hosting lighting, temporary partitions, and suspended works of art support the space. The gallery’s upper level includes a flexible event space that accommodates educational, outreach, and private events.
The lower level houses spaces for small retail outlets, further diversifying the waterfront development. The gallery also provides a bold new identity for a smaller city adjacent to a better-known metropolis.
