Why this Vancouver architect says view cones are "noble"
Why this Vancouver architect says view cones are "noble"
Brews and Views for Granville view cones on Sunday 11am
Architect James Cheng told Vancouver Sun that view cones help make a more interesting city. He says the reason why he designed Shangri-La Vancouver with a slice at an angle was because he had to respect the Heather Bay view cone from Leg-in-Boot Square.
If Cheng is able to design one of Vancouver’s tallest buildings while respecting the Heather Bay view cone of the Lions, then surely Intracorp can figure something out that respects the public view too.
Though Cheng is generally supportive of view cones and says they’re “very noble”, he disappointingly parrots Councillor Peter Meiszner’s points on “momentary view cones” on bridges that you can get for “10 seconds”.
But here’s where he’s wrong:
First, he says:
“If you’re on the Cambie Bridge, the best view is not the Lions — you have to find it, it’s like a needle in a haystack to see where the Lions are…The best view is to your right, when you look at the whole False Creek flats, and there’s mountains there, there’s a whole city there.”
But there’s actually no protected view to the Lions from the Cambie Bridge at all. In fact, you can’t see the Lions on any of the bridges at all. The three protected views on the Cambie Bridge are actually of the big mountain views he tells us to enjoy.
Secondly, Granville Bridge — the only other bridge where there are view cones — is undergoing a major pedestrianization project where “10 seconds” of “momentary view cones” will become (and already is) over half hour of walking. In fact, Trip Advisor tourists have already discovered Granville Bridge as a walking destination to view the city and its mountain backdrop.
This Sunday, let’s show people like Cheng and Meiszner that bridge view cones are important and they should be kept for everyone regardless of their mode of transportation. We’re going to make their so-called “momentary view cones” not so momentary by going on a group stroll across the Granville Bridge.
Join the third Brews and Views with Stephen Bohus, BLA, from City Hall Watch, for a walking tour of the Granville view cones this upcoming Sunday, Oct 29 11am to take photos of the “momentary view cones” under threat.
Where: Meet at Blenz Coffee at Granville x W Broadway
Date: Sunday, Oct 29
Time: 11am