In 2023, Vincent Helton & Associates will officially turn forty years old.

This milestone marks one of many, for our business has evolved and grown over the years - and continues to push boundaries in the world of architectural water feature design. Like so many organizations, Vincent Helton was founded upon a single philosophy that gradually grew into something unique.

Understanding our past helps us envision our future. Here are some insights into our history:

The first nine years of existence revolved around supporting the natural world, albeit in a different format than seen today. Our eponymous founder, Vincent, started an irrigation business in 1983. A professional agrologist by training https://www.bcia.com/registrants/requirements , Helton had an entrepreneurial mindset and wanted to find ways to prosper within Vancouver’s slowly shifting market. Using his technical know-how and the support of his wife and business partner, Joyce, Vincent branched into the design and installation of water features. This formative decision ultimately laid the foundations for the future of the company.

The combination of mechanical aptitude and design awareness caught the attention of the organizers of the 1986 World’s Fair, which was set to take place in Vancouver. Vincent provided mechanical designs for water installations at that event, as well as the subsequent Expo 92’ in Seville, Spain. Within the Canadian Pavilion, the ‘grand pool’ feature attracted over 41 million people during a six-month exhibition. This was one milestone of many as the small fountain designer continued to establish himself as a subject matter expert within Vancouver’s expanding development market.

The Canadian Pavilion of the World Expo 92

Through the irrigation business, Vincent would cross paths with many prominent architects including Cornelia Oberlander and Arthur Erickson. As many landscape architects lacked an in-house provider for irrigation design, they would turn to his expertise. Gradually, the percentage of business tied to irrigation would taper towards a very specialized service - creating mechanical designs for water installations.

1996 marked another turning point for the company. A newcomer, Peter Smith, began to work directly with Vincent on a variety of projects. Together, and in collaboration with a tight-knit team, Smith and Helton continued to hone their craft. By 1999, the business had grown to the point of acquiring new facilities on Annacis Island. The property, which lies central to many districts of Greater Vancouver, continues to house our organization to this day.

Peter’s involvement helped steer Vincent Helton & Associates towards a specific goal: continuous improvement of the company’s fountain mechanical designs. At the time of his joining, the team was spread across a range of projects. This included irrigation, pool services, and the physical installation of fountains and features. This flexibility drew focus away from the team’s abilities to produce unique and long-lasting systems.

In order to re-prioritize, Peter simplified the business model by eliminating peripheral services, including the division responsible for installations. This leaner approach to operations allowed Vincent Helton & Associates to perform exclusively as a designer and supplier. The latter of these services grew into Pacific Fountain Supply, a sub-organization that provides builders and owners with equipment and product support.

During this period, many noteworthy projects were undertaken by our firm. These included Richmond City Hall’s water gardens, which received accolades from the architectural community, as well as numerous forays across the border into the United States. The decorative pools that adorn Tacoma’s Museum of Glass are among the outcomes of these initial excursions, as are the numerous features adorning the courtyards of Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center.

In Vancouver, more high-profile ventures helped further solidify the team’s reputation. To this day these projects serve as landmarks within the Lower Mainland; visitors from around the world flock to Queen Elizabeth Park’s grandiose fountains, Harbour Green Park provides a unique splash-park experience, and The Waterfall Building captivates onlookers from all walks of life.

Looking back, the growth in our portfolio partially coincides with Vancouver’s expansion. Expo 86’ put our city on the world stage, which was followed by a period of substantial growth. New developments throughout the Lower Mainland require community amenities, which may include water features. There are many opportunities for us to continue to explore new endeavors while simultaneously contributing to the well-being of our communities.

Reminiscing about the past gives us hope for the future, and, although our team has changed over the years, the core goal of creating iconic and long-lasting designs remains. Vincent Helton is now retired, but his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation continues to drive us forward.

Reflections: Looking Back On Vincent Helton’s History