City of Richmond recognizes urban design excellence with 2022 Lulu Awards

29 November 2022

Four pre-eminent design and development projects have earned prestigious accolades as winners of the City of Richmond’s 2022 Lulu Awards for Urban Design. Mayor Malcolm Brodie made the announcement and presented the awards, including an additional three for honorary mentions, at last night’s (November 28) Council meeting, following a welcoming reception.

“Well-planned urban design is the hallmark of livable communities, adding to the vibrancy and appeal of our city,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Many viable projects were submitted and we thank all the talented people involved and the jury panel. It is always a pleasure to present these awards celebrating and inspiring the vision and dedication to Richmond’s urban design.”

The 2022 Lulu Awards go to the following four projects:

In the category of residential and mixed use, mid-rise urban design, the award goes to The Roderick, developed by Platform Properties Ltd., and designed by ZGF Architects Inc. and Perry and Associates. This mixed-use building is located in Richmond’s Steveston Village at 12088 Third Ave. Built into the design, is a sensitive response to the heritage context of Steveston Village. The scale of the block-long building is broken down using heritage references and style facades, yet with a sense of a contemporary building. The building frontage along Third Avenue, Chatham Street and Moncton Street is animated with pedestrian-oriented commercial uses.

In the category of residential and mixed use, high-rise urban design, the award goes to 2 River Green, developed by ASPAC Developments Ltd., and designed by James K. M. Cheng Architects Inc., IBI Group Inc. and PFS Studio. This mixed-use building is located in the Oval Village at 6622 & 6688 Pearson Way. The development includes two 13-storey and one low-rise with 284 residential units in total. The site frontages along Pearson Way, River Road and Hollybridge Way are vibrant with pedestrian-oriented commercial units; two-storied street oriented residential units as well as gathering spaces. The design has a clever response to two distinct edges; Pearson Way with a grand, institutional-like residential entry court, and River Road with a welcoming public plaza with a significant public art piece.

In the category of Public and Institutional Open Space urban design, the award goes to Steveston Nikkei Memorial designed by Hapa Collaborative. The Memorial, located at 4011 Moncton Street in Steveston, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the evacuation, relocation, and internment of 2,500 Japanese Canadians from Steveston during World War II. The memorial also celebrates the rebuilding of the Steveston community following their return from internment following the war. This public open space design narrates an important story, with care and creativity. The design creates a tranquil and contemplative space in a high public context, in proximity to the bustle of Steveston Park, No.1 Road and Moncton Street. It is a powerful memorial with exemplary and sensitive execution.

In the category Landscape Innovation urban design, the award goes to Harrington Court, developed by Western Maple Lane Holdings Ltd., and designed by Fougere Architecture and ITO & Associates Inc. The townhouse development with 15 homes is located in Blundell at 6028 Maple Road. The design recognizes the line of mature trees of No. 2 Road as a dominant site feature, and were preserved overcoming the challenge of grade difference. The innovative design includes sensitive response to grading, with short retaining walls and bridges to preserve the trees, resulting in a successful contribution to maintaining the neighbourhood and streetscape defining character, while also creating intimate private spaces for the residents.

Honourable mentions go to the following three projects:

Paramount, residential and mixed use, high-rise urban design.
This residential and mixed use, high-rise was developed by Keltic Canada Development, and designed by GBL Architects and PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. It is located in the City Centre Brighouse Village at 6340 No. 3 Road. The design establishes a landmark and a sense of place at a significant corner of the City Centre. The design integrates the public art with the architecture, at a grand scale and prominence, fitting the urban context.

River Green Lot 9, residential and mixed use, high-rise urban design.
This Residential and mixed-use high-rise was developed by ASPAC Developments Ltd., IBI Group and PFS Studio. It is located in the Oval Village at 6611 Pearson Way. The stepped down design of the buildings towards the river engages with the waterfront and connects well to the surrounding context. The design of the public space including sidewalks allows for pedestrian access on all sides of the development, offering accessibility and sense of connectivity to the neighbourhood.

Minato Village, commercial urban design
The commercial development was developed by G&B Estates and West Coast Projects, and designed by Urban Design Group Architects and ETA Landscape Architecture. It is located in Steveston at 3900 Steveston Highway. The design includes a thoughtful integration of heritage elements to fit in context. The design incorporates shade structures in between buildings to create well held street edges and storm water management strategies in the surface parking lot.

The Lulu Awards, held every four years by the City of Richmond, recognize vision and excellence in local urban design; that is, architecture, streetscapes and built landscapes that combine to create the look of Richmond's built environment. A variety of project types is eligible, including residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, open spaces, public utilities and recreational projects.

This year’s five-person jury panel comprised three independent judges representing architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture, as well as two City of Richmond judges from the Planning and Development division. Ms. Veronica Gillies, a registered architect, with over 20 years of experience; Mr. Chris Phillips, a registered landscape architect with over 30 years of experience; Mr. Ron Kellett, Director of UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture with experience practicing architecture and teaching architecture, urban design and landscape architecture; as well as City judges Mr. Joe Erceg, General Manager of Planning and Development; and Mr. Wayne Craig, Director of Development.

For more information on the Lulu Awards, including previous year’s winners, visit richmond.ca/luluawards.