Photo credit - Michael Elkan - @michaelelkan

As water feature designers, we share a collective desire to impact our communities in positive ways. Through the course of our projects, we take part in the collaborative reimagining of many of the same public spaces that are part of our personal lives. Watching these areas transform is a gratifying experience that can be reminisced with pride, especially when they lie in our own backyard.

North Vancouver’s Foot of Lonsdale development is an excellent case study in the rejuvenation of under-utilized space. The plaza serves as a focal point for the surrounding businesses, while the entire district is unified by a focus on the juxtaposition of the mountains and the sea. The water feature that occupies the plaza’s heart is one of several disparate elements that help unite this focus on natural splendor.

A busy day in North Vancouver. Photo credit: Hapa Cobo

Prior to its transformation, Foot of Lonsdale has a storied history. For many decades the area played an important role within Vancouver’s burgeoning ship-building business. Evidence of this previous phase lies with the region’s ‘Shipyards’ pseudonym, as well as the presence of several defunct ship cranes, which now contribute towards the developments aesthetic charm. Gradually, the tug boat dry dock that resided there fell out of use, leaving behind empty buildings and an unsightly parking lot.

Lonsdale’s heyday as a ship-building community.

Realizing the potential value of the waterfront, The City of North Vancouver made arrangements to re-develop the area into a communal amenity space. By lying directly along the Spirit Trail and in proximity to a busy commercial district, the plaza area was seen as easily accessible and full of potential to become a centralized piece of the City’s geography.

Today, that potential has been fully realized. Through all seasons, visitors flock to the area to relax, play, and enjoy the activities and comforts that the area offers. During the summer, tourists and locals alike mingle at the Tap & Barrel restaurant and Polygon Art Gallery, while wintertime crowds are drawn to Vancouver’s largest outdoor skating rink. The looming North Shore mountains in one direction, and city skyline in the other, combine to create a blend of scenery that is both unique and spectacular.

Vincent Helton’s contribution to this ambitious regeneration lies at the plaza’s center. In keeping with the location’s land-meets-sea aesthetic, the water feature emulates the gentle undulating motions of ocean waves. This subtle, yet hypnotic, effect is created through as water runs over terraced stones. Originally installed using a crane, these deceptively heavy slates are situated on a slight incline that perpetuates the water’s movement. The waves’ motion is broken erratically by five hunks of locally sourced granite, which are ideal for climbing and sitting.

The Foot of Lonsdale feature is unique in that its design extends beyond visual appeal. The open concept is tailored to attract the attention of families looking to cool their feet during the summer. While children enjoy themselves in the welcoming current, their parents are invited to relax in close proximity along perimeter benches. Should either party seek more excitement, another Vincent Helton project - the ebullient Shipyards Splash Park – lies within strolling distance.

Among the components that work to produce this astounding communal space, Hapa Collaborative’s Megabench plays an integral role in connecting the plaza, buildings, and seawall. The iconic red cedar bench, which is designed to mimic waves, allows visitors to make themselves comfortable sitting, lying down, or whichever position they see fit. The bench’s view of Vancouver’s harbour is serene, with the crashing of the ocean swells being effectively mirrored by the adjacent water feature’s smooth ripples.

The Megabench cleverly mimics the ocean’s waves. Photo credit: Hapa Cobo

As our project partner and lead Landscape Architect, Hapa’s contributions helped breathe life into North Vancouver’s waterfront. In 2019, our combined efforts were met with formal recognition, as Foot of Lonsdale received a National Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. The Association praised the project for its intentional placemaking and design, stating that ‘The elegant but bold landscape is harmonious with – and holds its own within – a complex and buzzing context.’

Today, the plaza and its surrounding district continue to hold their place as a hub of activity. As the waterfront continues to develop in both directions, North Vancouver’s future grows ever-brighter. By straying from convention and pursuing a vision that unifies natural and urban environments, something special has been brought to life. With Foot of Lonsdale, a footprint has been created that will bring joy and relaxation for years to come.

In Focus: Building Community With Our Foot of Lonsdale Project