South Surrey Ice Arena - Surrey, B.C.
“When we got too large, I found I was spending more of
my time running the company than I was being an archi-
tect.” Among the company’s early successes, and real demon-
strations for the capabilities of engineered wood construc-
tion, were the South Surrey Ice Arena where the team
achieved a 50m clear span over an Olympic size rink, and a
similar structure completed for the municipality of Abbots-
ford that covered 60m by 90m.
Trubka’s affinity for and understanding of the capabilities
of wood have led to a great deal of First Nations’ work. The
company is currently pioneering two new large span wood
projects. One will be a 35,000 sq. ft. health and administra-
tive building, for the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in North Van-
couver and the other, a community centre for the Lower
Nicola Indian Band near Merritt, BC. Both will be con-
structed almost completely of wood and engineered wood.
Part of his success with First Nations’ projects may also
be a reflection of his approach. Understanding that his
team is designing buildings intended to serve communities
well into the future, community engagement is a big part
of the design process. “We get the community involved in
contributing ideas and integrate their input. When, at the
opening ceremony, a community member comes in and
compliments us for incorporating their ideas or sugges-
tions, that is very meaningful to us.”
That community connection is evident in other ways.
Trubka recalls the Acwsalcta School project that was con-
structed at a remote wooded location in Bella Coola, B.C.
“We harvested the trees directly from the site, milled the
wood there, and used local band labour to do the construc-
tion so most of the funding for the project stayed in the
community. It was a fully sustainable project.”
The firm has been recognized with numerous awards
over the years including the Prestigious World Architecture
News Award in 2010 for the Tseshaht Tribal Multiplex &
Health Centre in Port Alberni, BC; a gold medal as Project
of the Year for a 69-acre master plan and design of the
Liberec Sport and Recreation Complex in the Czech Repub-
lic; and multiple other local and international awards.
For more information, visit https://www.lubortrubka.com.
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2018 – 23