The brand new Vancouver Convention Centre is going to be the Media Centre for the 2010 Winter Olympics. I think its legacy will outlast any Olympic effect that the 2010 Games will have.
The roof, around 6 acres in size, is covered in grass and wildflowers, designed to encourage songbirds to nest. There are also four beehives up there. 40% of the building is suspended over the waters of Burrard Inlet and the foundations have been built to mimic a natural shoreline with an artificial reef built offshore, which will act as a marine habitat for starfish, sea lettuce, and sea urchins. The seawater heating and cooling system makes the convention centre one of the most energy efficient buildings in Vancouver.
This is a wonderful new building for the Winter Olympics and beyond. The Facility will recycle nearly half of its annual waste and the kitchen will use local ingredients without additives, won’t use disposable utensils and dishes, and will donate leftovers to the local charities that care for the thousands of homeless people who live in Vancouver.Â
Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734
