When showstopping creative works seamlessly integrate cultural cachet into a condo development, the true synergy between art and architecture comes alive.
This is the result of the new public artwork within The City of Lougheed, Neighbourhood ONE, that not only enhances the lives of its residents, but invigorates the community.
The City of Lougheed, Burnaby's award-winning visionary 37-acre master-planned community by developer SHAPE, held an official unveiling on September 13th to commemorate their three public artworks, positioning the newly completed first phase, five-acre Neighbourhood ONE, as a vibrant and culturally rich city centre.
The artful expressions on display include: 'Making Connections' by Squamish Nation artist Xwalacktun (Rick Harry), 'Untitled (Heads)' by Japanese American artist Jun Kaneko, and the 'Illuminating Façade'.
"SHAPE as a group has a deep commitment to creative work, so we revelled in the opportunity to add public art," says Bak Wong, EVP Planning & Design, SHAPE. "Opinions and influence on art selection routinely came from all members of our team."
The City of Lougheed is one of Burnaby's four town centres slated as a focus of urban culture and community, and is most notable as a nexus of transit (three SkyTrains converge), arterials, municipalities and Simon Fraser University, and as SHAPE learned from artist Xwalucktun, this was a location shared and traversed by nine Salish groups.
"In such an important nexus, artwork and urban design is so needed to craft a meaningful and memorable place that will resonate with the greater community," explains Wong.
Building community is paramount in SHAPE's planning and design. In Neighbourhood ONE, common amenities for the four towers were consolidated into one communal building spanning over 22,000 square feet to reinforce a sense of belonging and identity.
"Interconnections were a theme in the design from the internal layout of spaces to its different frontages that relate to the urban context," says Wong. "In massing, the amenity building is perched onto the southwest corner as an architectural feature that overlooks the master-planned community."
Timeless contemporary artwork, artists
With a spotlight on First Nations traditions, 'Making Connections' comprises eight wall panels with four main design components on Tower Two's west-side, located on Grand Promenade. According to Xwalacktun, the number four is considered sacred, wherein the artwork encapsulates four Coast Salish eyes, plus the Thunderbird (Creator), the salmon (sacred main staple), water (giver of life) and sky.
"This piece beautifully echoes that we must look after the sky and the air that we breathe," noted Xwalacktun. "My hope is that it will lead to an understanding that we are all connected."
Wong acknowledges, "We have heard that residents and visitors who walk along the Grand Promenade enjoy 'Making Connections' because of its inspiring pattern, night-time lighting and bold scale."
Jun Kaneko's 'Untitled (Head)' and 'Untitled (Heads)' sculptures (cast from bronze and hand painted), are located throughout The City of Lougheed and encourage viewers to look up, altering their interaction with space.
The patterns of colour, shapes and polka dots blend Eastern and Western cultural ideas, and the concept is derived from Japanese garden design: Shakkei (Japanese for “borrowed view”), which is an important concept in Japanese garden design. "I hope this collaboration with the architecture amplifies this site's visual excitement and experience," said Kaneko.
Wong recalls, "The 'Untitled Heads' are interspersed in the public realm so people can't help but engage with them; we often see people taking selfies, especially liked by children because of their giant scale and bright cheerful colours."
You can't miss the 'Illuminating Façade' on the corner of North Road and Austin Avenue, which helps form one of the gateways into Burnaby. Made up of 42 custom extruded vertical mullions and fitted with programmable LED light strips, it creates artistic effects with pattern and multiple colours.
First phase, Neighbourhood ONE
Neighbourhood ONE welcomed thousands of new residents to the community and introduced over 110,000 square feet of new market-leading retail, making this vibrant city centre a complete destination, evolving to offer best-in-class homes, shops & services and dining.
"We are proud and excited to see the completion of Neighbourhood ONE, particularly, to see the residents and tenants finally moving in," says Wong.
"The artwork is that final touch that brings spirit to the place. 'Making Connections' infused our building with meaning and elevated the architecture. The enigmatic 'Untitled Heads' inhabit the public realm and engages us, delightfully, in many ways."
"In the end, the public will make their judgements and hopefully deep-felt connections. We look forward to more public art to come, which will populate our master-planned community."
Drop by The City of Lougheed at 3888 Evergreen Place, the new home sales office, to explore their offerings and engage with the artwork. For more information or to book a home tour in Tower Three, now selling, visit thecityoflougheed.com.
