Arthur Erickson
Vancouver's favourite architectural son, Arthur Erickson (who recently passed away at the age of 84) has worked on buildings throughout the world, but his edifices around the city are legion. Among his most intriguing creations are Robson Square in the centre of the downtown core, Burnaby's Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia's Central Library, the UBC Museum of Anthropology and the Sikh Temple in south Vancouver.

Story idea Consider a story on the trail of Arthur Erickson's work around the city, including the best and lesser-known of his buildings here. You could talk to the Architectural Institute of B.C. (www.aibc.com) for some assistance with your story and even try for an interview with friends and colleagues of the late Vancouver icon.

Other Vancouver Buildings

Sam Kee Building
Reputedly the world's thinnest office building, 8 West Pender Street was built in 1913 and is only 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) wide. At the time, the City had expropriated most of the area's property in order to widen Pender, but declined to compensate Kee's company for the remaining strip. Kee's neighbour expected to receive this strategic corner at a low cost, but Kee instead built this unusually narrow building out of spite. The second-floor bay windows provide extra space. The basement, which has communal baths, extends quite a ways under the sidewalk.

Marine Building (355 Burrard Street at Hastings Street)
Dressed in stunning terracotta finery with a maritime motif, this 25-storey Art Deco masterpiece provides its occupants with sweeping views of the Port of Vancouver and the glass towers of the city's economic centre. The tallest building in the British Empire when completed in 1929, early occupants included Guinness boss A.J. Taylor, who set up a lavish penthouse pied-à-terre. A 12-metre (40-foot) terracotta entrance arch shows off the history of sail on the Pacific Coast on one side and the story of steam power on the other. Awash in aqua-green and blue, the lobby is designed to resemble a huge, treasure-filled Mayan temple.

Canada Place & Vancouver Convention Centre (999 Canada Place Way
(www.vancouverconventioncentre.com)
Admired for its graceful appearance, this waterfront landmark has the appearance of a huge sailing ship with prow jutting into Burrard Inlet. Its five stylized masts, used to provide a huge interior area free of support structures, began life as the Canadian Pavilion for Expo 86. It's now home to a three-berth cruise ship terminal, an IMAX cinema, a five-star hotel and the newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC). The expansion tripled the centre's meeting capacity, a 1.2 million square foot addition, making it the largest waterfront convention centre in Canada. The VCC officially opened in April 2009 and will serve as the Main Media Centre for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The roof is an environmentally-friendly green space covered in grass and wild flowers.

Vancouver Law Courts (800 Smithe Street)
This soaring glass-roofed edifice - unquestionably the coolest place in Canada to be handed a life sentence - is just across the street from the city's original law court, now housing the Vancouver Art Gallery. Believing that justice should not only be done but also be seen to be done, architects the late Arthur Erickson and Bing Thom designed a building wrapped in a transparent facade. Opened in 1979, its public spaces include the main floor Great Hall and three large galleries as well as 35 courtrooms - including two especially designed for complex commercial cases. Security is paramount throughout the building, since major criminal cases are tried here as well as civil cases heard by the B.C. Court of Appeal.

Library Square (350 West Georgia Street)
The Vancouver Public Library (www.vpl.ca) in Library Square is one of those rare buildings that can turn heads and change traffic patterns, primarily due to its soaring Coliseum-copycat look. Not everyone appreciates the $100 million library's Roman styling, though - including architect Moshe Safdie, who insists there's no connection between his design and the Italian version. Despite the controversy, the public has embraced the library's spectacular structure and its comfortable piazza, and several movies - including Arnold Schwarzenegger's Sixth Day - have been filmed here.

Trivia The previous Vancouver Public Library was at the corner of Robson and Burrard Streets, in the building now occupied by HMV.

Asian Centre (University of British Columbia, 1871 West Mall)
UBC could fill a coffee table book of inspired architecture, but one of its most impressive buildings is the Asian Centre, a relative oldie. Designed by Vancouver architect Donald Matsuba, construction started in 1974 and the building was officially opened in 1981. Reflecting the crisp, uncluttered lines of Japanese design, its broad pyramidal roof lends the building a sense of serene simplicity, an aura that is only enhanced by the reflecting pool that surrounds it. In 1985, a traditional Japanese bell tower was added and inside an art gallery and permanent photo exhibition features Pacific Rim works.

Harbour Centre Tower (555 West Hastings Street)
Although you'd never know from looking at it, Harbour Centre Tower is one of Vancouver's tallest buildings. With its space ship top reached by twin glass elevators, its home to one of the city's most popular visitor attractions, the Vancouver Lookout (www.vancouverlookout.com). Officially opened by astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1977, its 360-degree view is open to the public 365 days a year. With informative placards and guided tours, the attraction recently underwent an extensive renovation. Below the lookout, the Harbour Centre is also home to the downtown campus of Simon Fraser University. Above the lookout is one of Vancouver's two revolving restaurants, the Top of Vancouver at 167m.

Story idea Consider an architecture-themed story for your readers on the trail of Vancouver's leading designer buildings. The story could focus some of the above edifices and include interviews with prominent local architects. Contact the Architectural Institute of B.C. (www.aibc.ca) for help with your story.