Exploring Vancouver: The Architectural Guide

by Harold Kalman, Robin Ward, Mike Harcourt (Foreword)

Vancouver's streetscapes and neighbourhoods have changed drastically in recent years. New buildings representing current architectural trends are mixing with and often replacing those of earlier eras and tastes, and a maturing architectrual melange is emerging. This book invites the reader to explore the city's continually evolving urban landscape in a highly readable, yet authoritative, guide to its architecture.

In this completely updated edition of Exploring Vancouver , with brand-new entries and accompanying photographs, Harold Kalman and Robin Ward have divided the city (including the North Shore, Richmond, Burnaby and New Westminster) into fourteen areas, selecting buildings and structures in these neighbourhoods that represent the best exakmples of the new and old architecture. Each area is preceded by an informative introduction that provides historical context for the entries that follow.

There are over 400 entries, each featuring a short description that combines architectural, historical and social commentary. The prose is lively as the authors consider the new and the old, the modest and the grand, the attractive and the not-so-attractive in a wide-ranging work that encompasses everything from heritage to "monster" homes.

This book is designed as a walking tour guide, with a map of each area showing the location of every entry.

Genres: Architecture

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2012

Reviews

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid tour of Vancouver. Some of the sections clearly need to invoke the use of a car, but others can make a delightful self-guided walking tour. I've lived here all my life and learned so much I never knew because of this book. For an architectural buff who enjoys knowing a bit about the history and culture and people (rather than those first, architecture second) he got the balance quite right for me.

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short architectural background on several Vancouver buildings. Walking/cycling maps for several neighborhoods. Good info, but I would like more anecdotes or stories about the buildings.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Didn't read it exhaustively, but an essential Vancouver reference.