Landscape improvements for this new mixed-use development integrate and enhance the streetscape improvement measures the city of West Vancouver is currently implementing, providing a vibrant and pedestrian friendly landscape along the entire perimeter of the site. The landscape design for the 1300 Block, Marine Drive South at Ambleside Village Centre contributes to the City’s goals for revitalization by creating a strong public streetscape, flexible spaces for community activities, and locations for plazas, cafés, art installations, and a healthy and vibrant civic realm. The project makes use of the material palette and other design standards set forth by the City, with modifications to provide upgrades of paving and other features, establishing a compelling design and strong place-making for public and private realms. Maple trees unify the street edge and provide continuity with the existing tree canopies along Marine Drive. Along the street edges and through the Galleria plaza, colored concrete bands add interest and variety to the ground plane, extending across Bellevue Avenue, which may be closed off to provide temporary plaza space for community events.
Sculptures and art installations emphasize the public, pedestrian-friendly character of the neighborhood, provide focal points for pedestrian and vehicular traffic along Marine Drive and function as thresholds to the 14th street and the Bellevue plazas. Art installations at the north and south corners highlight the gateways to the project, while special paving, trees in grates, lighting, and movable seating increases the appeal and livable character. Sustainable elements throughout the project include the use of permeable paving and a series of linear landscape panels that serve as rain gardens.
The project was honored with a ULI Americas Award for Excellence in 2021
East Quarter Mixed-Use
Two neighborhoods that abut the Downtown Dallas Central Business District have been disconnected for years by derelict blocks and buildings. The East Quarter Mixed-Use development establishes a walkable retail, dining, and entertainment connection between the thriving Deep Ellum Farmer’s Market and highly programmed Arts District. The project included the pres...
Beijing Finance Street
Awarded after an international competition, the Beijing Finance Center Master Plan creates an international destination in West Beijing. The project, which includes a mix of uses—housing, retail, hotel office, and cultural facilities—is focused in terms of the landscape design of a central park known as “The Heart” of western Beijing. SWA’s w...
Kingold Century Centre
This new mixed-use development features a complex program that includes a hotel, rental space for other companies, eateries, service apartments, and retail facilities. SWA’s design challenge was to create a common space that can be enjoyed by the disparate users on-site at any given time. A common plaza includes multiple restaurants on a terraced platform that...
Kaohsiung Waterfront Renovation
SWA, in association with Morphosis Architecture and CHNW, developed a vision for the future of Kaohsiung Harbor Wharfs, which includes 114 hectares of prime waterfront property formerly used for cargo shipping. The site, located in the shipping heart of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was historically subjected to environmental neglect and rampant uncontrolled development....