This tour takes a critical look at modern Vancouver architecture and its development. The story covered begins with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Burrard Inlet. You'll hear from architects Peter Busby, Bing Thom, professor Emeritus Rhodri Windsor-Liscombe, heritage consultant Donald Luxton, paintor Gregg Simpson, and landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander accompanied by Leah Abramson's wind harp composition.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:46) 1. Waterfront station

(11:12) 2. Granville Square / Project 200

(16:31) 3. Canada Place

(23:56) 4. Sinclair Centre

(29:57) 5. Marine building 

(38:22) 6. Guinness Tower / Oceanic Plazza

(48:48) 7. Bentall centre

(56:40) 8. Macmillan Bloedel Building 

(01:00:39) 9. Burrard Street

(01:04:51) 10. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 

(01:10:24) 11. Former Vancouver Central Library

(01:18:06) 12. Dal Grauer Substation

(01:22:31) 13. Electra / Former  BC Electric BLG 

(01:30:58) 14. Electra / Former  BC Electric BLG - part 2 

(01:35:50) 15. Law Courts Building 

(01:41:49) 16. Robson Square 

(01:46:10) 17. Pacific Centre

For an immersive listening experience, download the Portrait Sonore app on ⁠⁠⁠⁠iOS⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Android Play⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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🎧 Credits 

Ideation, research, writing, direction: Sophie Mankowski • Local curating, interviewing, proofreading: Sean Ruthen • English proofreading: Nina Gilbert & Deboray Murray • Sound design and music, voice: Antoine Bédard • Music:  Loscil • Music:  Leah Abramson  • Music: Fond of Tigers •  Mixing: Simon R. Tremblay • Illustrations: Serge Rhéaume • Production: Portrait sonore

Produced with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Royal Architectural Institute (RAIC)