Wood WORKS! British Columbia ARCHITECT Kimberley Smith and Bo Helliwell, Helliwell + Smith Blue Sky Architecture, West Vancouver Helliwell and Smith - Blue Sky Architec- ture has used wood both as structural and finishing material in a practice that has de- veloped over 38 years. The firm has em- braced wood as a natural building material that connects buildings to the surrounding landscape. Both Kimberley Smith and Bo Helliwell have developed an organic ap- proach to west coast modern design, blending site-specific organic forms with open flowing spaces, created from wood frame structures and surface treatments. The firm has used wood and timber con- struction to meet the challenges involved in creating beautiful and economical struc- tures in remote locations. The challenges of location and difficult terrain necessitate the use of materials that can be shipped, handled and erected by available technology. Wood construction meets these needs. WOOD INNOVATION Peter Busby and Jim Huffman, Perkins+Will, VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre, Vancouver The VanDusen Botanical Garden’s new 1,765 sq. m. Visitor Centre is designed to create a harmonious balance between architecture and landscape, from a visual and ecological perspective. Inspired by the or- ganic forms of a native orchid, the Visitor Centre is organized into undulating green roof ‘petals’ that appear to float above curving rammed earth and concrete walls. Situated on the garden’s prominent southeast corner, the dynamic single-storey structure transforms the site’s entrance to heighten public awareness of the garden and the impor- tance of nature. It houses a café, library, vol- unteer facilities, garden shop, offices, and flexible classroom/rental spaces. Five types of wood were used in the project, including FSC-certified wood as the main structural element; on-site sal- vaged wood, reclaimed from previous structures in the garden; off-site salvaged wood for a variety of millwork items; re- claimed wood that was milled from trees cut down on site during the construction of the project for a variety of elements; and fallen wood from yew trees for the feature door handles. 66 – Spring 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report