Lulu Awards for Urban Design

What are the Lulu Awards?

The City of Richmond's Lulu Awards, held every four years, recognize, celebrate and inspire excellence in urban design in the City of Richmond. Awards are presented to exceptional projects that represent visionary thinking and “raise the bar” for design excellence in Richmond.

What is Urban Design?

Urban Design is the design of a city and all its outwardly visible components. Included are buildings and the open spaces between them: parks, walkways, bridges, water, landscaping, lighting and signage. Excellence in urban design is defined by how all these components work together over time to create an attractive, memorable and safe city.

The 2022 Lulu Award Program

In 2022, there are 11 categories submissions may fall under. Private and public sector projects are eligible, and anyone may nominate a project.

The nomination period for the 2022 Awards ran Jan 18 to Mar 31, 2022. The award recipients were announced on Nov 28, 2022.

2022 Award Winners

In residential and mixed use, mid-rise urban design category

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 residential and mixed use, high-rise urban design category

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 Public and Institutional Open Space urban design category

Steveston Nikkei Memorial

Designed by Hapa Collaborative. The Memorial, located at 4011 Moncton Street in Steveston, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the forced uprooting 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 Landscape Innovation urban design category

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.

2022 Honourable Mentions

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 the 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.

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Past Award Winners