Rift - Burrard Place

The play of light and shadow is a common thread that runs through all of our work. With our recent commission, Rift, we were excited by the opportunity to explore these elements on a larger scale.

Rift is an architectural screen composed of two 30 foot tall sections that divide and define space within the lobby of Vancouver’s newly completed Burrard Place building. Challenged by our clients to design an elegant centre- piece for the lobby inspired by the exterior architecture of the building, we were immediately drawn to the rhythm of the repeating elements of the facades.

Rift is composed of horizontal rails made from solid white oak and vertical louvres laser-cut from 1/4 inch aluminum anodized to a light bronze finish. The 4200 bronze louvres are arranged such that some areas of the screen are more permeable and visually open while others areas are shuttered down — presenting more of the bronze louvres to direct viewing — reflecting light and adding texture to the installation as a whole.

The result is a sculptural installation that filters light and projects ever changing shadows into the lobby. As daylight from its eastern exposure interacts with the screen, the lobby is slowly transformed over the course of the day.