Celebrating 38 Years of Vincent Helton & Associates
With 38 years of experience in the North American water feature design industry under our belt, we asked the Vincent Helton & Associates team about their favourite VHA water feature projects. The chosen features are diverse in both form and function, and reflect the depth and variety of the Vincent Helton portfolio and expertise.
Adam, Design
I'm a big fan of Telus Garden in downtown Vancouver. I had worked briefly on the residential tower previously, so I was familiar with the building and its architectural design elements. The water features are nicely executed, and integrate very naturally into the space. There are a variety of different water feature types here, including a beautiful koi pond, which I particularly enjoy. Overall, the water gives the interior space a very appealing, natural feel.
Di, Sales
The water features at the Vancouver Aquarium became my favorite project after I attended an After Hours event on Valentine's Day. The water wall and glass fish features are well connected to the surroundings, and really express the aquatic theme. Even walking down the stairs became a memorable experience for my partner and me, as we enjoyed watching the water cascade down the stepped platforms alongside us. It's a thoughtful piece of design.
Amy, Design
As a fountain mechanical designer, I have worked at Vincent Helton & Associate for more than twelve years. I have participated in countless projects and have many favorite works. My favourite water feature would have to be at the residences at Escala in Burnaby, where the multi-level cascading waterfall is especially dynamic and beautiful.
Ken, Leadership
As a new dad with a young child, I love bringing him to Shipyards Splash Park in North Vancouver. The space is dynamic and very family-friendly. The splash pads are made of special soft-touch material to ensure children’s safety, and there are different difficulty levels for various age groups. Kids run around the park playing in the water, and adults can grab a good coffee, find nice chairs, and enjoy a bit of downtime. A nice weekend afternoon can just be that relaxing. The space and features are versatile too -- in the winter, the splash park turns into an ice rink, with the splash pads becoming resting islands for the skaters.
Sam, Sales
I spent many years studying at Simon Fraser University, and the Engineering school building where I had classes was right next to Town and Gown Plaza, where this beautiful water feature is located. I have many wonderful memories of enjoying the water while walking by or sitting with classmates at the edge of the pools. The cascading water helps create a pocket of peace on the busy campus, which was particularly welcome during stressful exam periods. It also made the plaza a great hang out spot in the summer, as the water provided a gentle cooling breeze.
Gerard, Design
Having grown up in East Vancouver, I cannot talk about Queen Elizabeth Park without picturing the large, iconic water feature by the Bloedel Conservatory. Between passing by the feature after visits to the old Riley Park Community Centre and spending time with friends during warm summer evenings in high school, the fountains really became a fixture of my youth. I will always remember the Queen Elizabeth Park fountains as a key spot in Vancouver and a part of the city's identity.