Learn about the state of heritage and conservation projects in Vancouver today with experts in architecture and design, conservation, city planning and other related fields. Our virtual heritage lunch and learns discuss issues, local projects and topics that are relevant to the future of Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods and buildings.

Recordings from past VHF virtual Lunch & Learns are available. A link will be sent for each virtual lunch & learn following your purchase and the video will be available for viewing on YouTube up to a month after your purchase. 

September 23 – St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church

One of the largest historic churches in the province, St. Andrews-Wesley Church was designed by the architects Twizell & Twizell in a freely-adapted Gothic Revival style between 1930 and 1933. A designated municipal heritage site, it recently underwent a full seismic upgrade and restoration work, which was awarded the 2021 BC Heritage Award for Outstanding Conservation. Heritage consultant Donald Luxton and engineer of record for the project Dennis Gam discussed the completed restoration and seismic upgrade, including how interior and exterior character-defining elements were preserved or rehabilitated and how missing or deteriorated elements were restored.

October 21 - Sun Tower

Designed in the Beaux Art style in 1911-12 by W.T. Whiteway, the Sun Tower is an iconic and flamboyant feature on the Vancouver skyline. It was originally home to the Vancouver World Newspaper. Its publisher, Louis D Tayor, was a prominent figure who was elected as mayor eight times. The paper promoted the war effort during the First World War while also directly participating in fundraising efforts. In 1915 Taylor lost control of the newspaper and the building due to the recession. The Vancouver Sun newspaper moved into the building in 1937 after its offices across Pender were destroyed by fire and it has been known as the Sun Tower ever since despite the newspaper moving out again in 1965. Powell Talverdi and architect Barry McGinn explored the recent envelope stabilization, dome reroofing and restoration work of the building that has been ongoing since 2018.

November 3 – The little house that could: The conservation of the Coulter House within the HOUSS development

Join developer Joe Carreira, architect Taizo Yamamoto and heritage consultant Elana Zysblat as they share the story of this unconventional project, which they saw as an innovative solution to the challenge of preserving the history and built heritage of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, while appealing to the needs of a community known to be a catalyst of industry and innovation. This new and unique strata office, commercial and industrial mixed-use building, developed by Conwest Group, boldly incorporates the 1901 heritage house that stood previously on the site as the focal point of its design.

October 19 – The Post

One of the most ambitious heritage redevelopment projects in Canada’s history, The Post revitalized a historic Vancouver icon ensuring its preservation and transforming it into a vibrant destination in the city’s centre. Constructed between 1953-58 and occupying an entire city block, the former Main Post Office is an exceptional example of International Style architecture in western Canada. Designed by the prominent local architectural firm of McCarter Nairne & Partners with the Federal Department of Public Works, the municipally designated building has undergone a significant rehabilitation program. QuadReal’s Vice-President of Development Graeme Scott, heritage consultant Chelsea Dunk of Donald Luxton & Associates, and architect Aaron Petruic of Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership discussed the revitalization of this Vancouver landmark and how its seismic upgrade, restoration, and sensitive rehabilitation were completed in a manner to conserve the heritage value of the building’s central podium while modernizing the site to facilitate its new office and commercial use.

March 14 - Learning from Turner Dairy: Adaptive Reuse and Preparing for Climate Crisis

Occupying nearly an entire block at W 17th Avenue and Ontario St, the Turner Dairy complex has had many industrial uses over the past 100 years – a luggage factory, book publishing, candle making, and furniture warehouse. Now transformed into a residential townhouse complex surrounded by the bustling neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, the name recalls the site’s original use as a small dairy farm run by Frederick Turner and his sons in 1911. The meaningful redevelopment of the lot into a residential townhouse complex began 10 years ago and sought to honour its historic roots in its design, including some of the buildings’ original Edwardian features. Join design principal and architect Inge Roecker from AIRstudio for an in-depth look at the adaptive reuse of the site from pre-design to completion. She will provide insight on exciting processes such as deconstruction, material restoration and re-use were implemented, and share how they brought the historic industrial building forward in a contemporary context

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