Bing Thom | |
---|---|
Born | Hong Kong | 8 December 1940
Died | 4 October 2016 Hong Kong | (aged 75)
Nationality | Canadian |
Alma mater | University of British Columbia |
Occupation | Architect |
Awards | Order of Canada |
Bing Wing Thom, CM ( Chinese: 譚秉榮; 8 December 1940 – 4 October 2016) was a Canadian architect and urban designer. Born in Hong Kong, he immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with his family in 1950. [1] His paternal grandfather originally immigrated to Vancouver in the 1890s and his father was born in New Westminster before moving to Hong Kong after being unable to practice as a pharmacist in Canada. [2]
Thom received a Bachelor of Architecture in 1966 from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Architecture in 1970 from the University of California, Berkeley. [3]
He moved to Tokyo in 1971 to work for Japanese architect-urbanist Fumihiko Maki. Returning to Canada in 1972, he joined Arthur Erickson Architects as project director and oversaw projects such as Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto (1977), the Robson Square Courthouse Complex in Vancouver (1973–1979) and the Air Defence Ministry Building in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In 1981, Thom established his own architecture firm, Vancouver-based Bing Thom Architects. [1] In 1995, Thom was made a Member of the Order of Canada and he was a recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to his country. He was a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Thom received honorary degrees from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
In 2010, Thom was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Architectural Firm of the Year award. [4] and in 2011 he was awarded the RAIC's highest honour, the RAIC Gold Medal. [5]
Thom died at age 75 of a brain aneurysm while on a trip to Hong Kong in October 2016. [6]
As of 2015 the firm had a total staff of 47, including principals Venelin Kokalov and Shinobu Homma, [7] directors, registered architects, architectural graduate and students, urban designers and planners, and support staff. [8]
The firm specialized in urban planning and complex building types such as civic buildings, performing arts centres and public spaces. Typically projects are mixed-use, integrating commercial, residential and cultural uses to create a sustainable whole. They had offices in Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Washington, DC. Today only the Vancouver office survives under a new name Revery Architecture.
Structure | Location | Type | Year |
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Xiqu Centre | Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, China | Performing arts structure (Chinese opera) | 2018 |
Allard Hall | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | University arts centre | 2017 |
Guildford Aquatic Centre | Surrey, British Columbia, Canada | Community centre | 2015 |
Aberdeen Square retail and office addition to Aberdeen Centre | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | Mixed-use development | 2013 |
Tarrant County College Downtown Campus | Fort Worth, Texas, United States | Educational institute | 2011 |
Surrey City Centre Public Library | Surrey, British Columbia, Canada | Library | 2011 |
Arena Stage Theater expansion | Washington, DC, United States | Performing arts structure | 2010 |
SAIT Polytechnic Parking Garage | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Parking structure | 2009 |
Sunset Community Centre | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Community centre | 2008 |
Trafalgar Square Installation | London, England, United Kingdom | Public square | 2008 |
Aberdeen Centre addition and condo development | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | Residential structure | 2008 |
SAIT Polytechnic Master Plan | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Educational institute | 2007 |
Trinity Uptown planning and urban design study | Fort Worth, Texas, United States | Mixed-use development | 2006 |
Central City Shopping Centre, SFU campus and office integration | Surrey, British Columbia, Canada | Educational institute and retail development | 2004 |
Aberdeen Centre | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | Retail, entertainment development | 2004 |
City of Dalian Masterplan | Dalian, People's Republic of China | City plan | 1995 |
City of Yuxi Masterplan | Yuxi, People's Republic of China | City plan | 1999 |
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Performing arts structure | 1997 |
Canada Pavilion at Expo '92 | Seville, Spain | General structure | 1992 |
False Creek Yacht Club | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | General structure | 1989 |
The Pointe condominium | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Residential development | 1995 |
Pacific Canada Pavilion, Vancouver Aquarium | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | General structure | 1998 |