ariane c design, a communication design studio specializing in art direction, graphic design, logo identity, copy editing, proofreading and web design

  • Archives

  • Mar12

    Sunday Morning at the Marine

    Posted in: Architecture, Cafe, Education, Events, History, Vancouver

    Sunday at the Marine Building-27

    I’ll have to struggle to keep this article short as last Sunday’s Vancouver Heritage Foundation event covered two of my favourite passions: coffee and architecture. JJ Bean Coffee Roasters hosted the event in their café inside the Marine Building, starting things off right with a gratis cup of coffee and pastry of choice.

    Sunday at the Marine Building-3 Sunday at the Marine Building-8

    The sold-out event was led by JJ Bean’s owner John Neate, who engaged the crowd on renovating the space as well as all things coffee. Also there to speak were architects Joost Bakker and Brady Dunlop of Dialog, and Maurice Guibord, president of the Francophone Historical Society as well as the Canadian Art Deco Society.

    Sunday at the Marine Building-4 Sunday at the Marine Building-2

    In 1996, John and his wife bought an existing coffee roasting house on Granville Island, transforming it into the JJ Bean design currently seen in the other 12 shops around town (with two more due to open later this year). JJ is named after John Jr. (Dad was ‘big John’).
    Read the rest of the post »

  • Oct1

    Picasso on the Prairies

    Posted in: Architecture, Art Installation, Exhibitions, Fine Art

    The new Remai Gallery
    [Gallery rendering provided by the Remai Art Gallery]

    If a great city is partially defined by the art that it keeps, then Saskatoon will soon reach the status of awesome.

    While I was in town last week on a media tour of the city, a major announcement hit the press circuit. The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, soon to be the largest art gallery in the province, will acquire a donated collection of 405 Picasso prints valued at $20 million dollars.

    Once construction is complete, the new Remai will be the largest art gallery in the province, housing a civic collection of regional, national, and international art that has been preserved and maintained since the city’s earliest days. Renowned artists in the collection will also include Emily Carr, A.Y. Jackson, Lawren S. Harris, William Perehudoff, and Dorothy Knowles.

    Chapeau by Picasso
    [Pablo Picasso Portrait de Femme au Chapeau a Pompons et au Corsage Imprime, 1962. Reproduced by permission © Picasso Estate/SODRAC (2012)]

    When entrepreneur and philanthropist Ellen Remai leaned that the Picasso prints were for sale, she seized the opportunity to help build the art gallery’s permanent collection by purchasing them. By doing so, she has created a legacy for both the Remai Art Gallery and the citizens of Saskatoon. Ellen’s generosity doesn’t stop there. In 2011, she also contributed $30 million towards the construction and future programming of the new civic gallery. Visitors will be able to see the Picasso collection when renovation of the new Remai Art Gallery is completed in 2015.

    As the Picasso prints will form part of the Gallery’s permanent collection, there will be no charge to enjoy them.

    Pablo Picasso created the prints between 1951 and 1966. These pieces were assembled by Saskatchewan-born art dealer Dr. Frederick Mulder, who lives in London.

    To learn more about the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan as well as the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation, visit the website.

  • Mar14

    The Restored Fairview House

    Posted in: Architecture, Events, History, Vancouver

    Fairview House launch-10

    The Fairview House (also known as the Steamboat House), located at 1151 West 8th Avenue in Vancouver, has recently undergone a major overhaul.

    Fairview House opening remarks

    David Kaplan, Revenue Property Group
    [David Kaplan, Revenue Property Group]

    According to David Kaplan, President of Revenue Property Group (the property’s owner), “This house is beautiful on the outside but that same beauty did not translate to the inside. I felt a mission to restore the entire house, to honour its significant place in the history of the city.”

    Sir Walter Nichol

    The house was built in 1892 (six years after Vancouver was founded) for Sir Dr. John Reid, physician to the Queen of England, and his wife Lady Georgina Hill-Reid, founder of the Vancouver Council of Women. From 1900 to 1910, it was occupied by Walter C. Nichol, former owner and editor of the Province newspaper and BC’s 12th Lieutenant-Governor. In 1960, the Fairview House was converted into a rooming house. And in 2010, Revenue Property Group purchased the house.

    The Fairview House is considered one of Vancouver’s 10 oldest buildings! Hard to imagine, but at the time only 14,000 people lived in Vancouver and Fairview was its affluent suburb.

    Fairview House launch-14

    The interior was completely renovated to match its original character, including 9 foot, 9 inch ceilings, white walls, crown moulding, walnut flooring, dark wood wainscoting, updated plumbing and heating, plus modern luxuries.

    Kollel's Rabbi Shmulik blesses the property with a mezuzah

    Kollel Community Rabbi Shmulik blessed the property with a mezuzah followed by a short prayer, marking the house officially open for visitors.

    Fairview House catering
    [Fairview House catering by Perfect Bite]

    Fairview House launch appetizers

    Fairview House launch appetizers

    Media were invited on Tuesday afternoon to view the house’s three floors while sipping wine and enjoying appetizers. The top floor isn’t yet complete, but the view of False Creek, the Burrard Inlet, and English Bay is spectacular (the basement is also a work in progress)!

    Fairview House view
    [The million dollar view]

    David Kaplan, Architect Michel Laflamme
    [David Kaplan, Architect Michel Laflamme]

    I also met architect Michel Laflamme, who was inspired by David’s vision to restore this Edwardian style heritage house and turn it into executive offices.

    Fairview House launch-8

    A few key Fairmont House luxuries:
    - Each office has its own heating system and controls
    - Kitchens contain granite countertops and stainless steel appliances
    - Hardwood floors in main areas and carpeting in offices

    Fairview House launch-11

    The restoration team includes David Kaplan with Revenue Property Group, Interior designer Janks Design Group, Contractor Yuval Biton, and Architect Michel Laflamme.

  • Oct28

    Migrating Landscapes at MOV

    Posted in: Architecture, Art Installation, Events, Exhibitions, Museums, Vancouver

    ML 2 Pavillion Model
     
    When people migrate, they carry their cultural memories with them in order to create a unique understanding of the world. Migrating Landscapes, a nationwide competition for young Canadian architects aged 45 and under, explores the nature of contemporary Canadian migration through original designs for housing. Vancouverites can immerse themselves in this idea beginning on Thursday, November 3, when the regional stage of the competition launches at the Museum of Vancouver.
    Read the rest of the post »

  • Oct7

    Inside the Rosewood Hotel Georgia

    Posted in: Architecture, Art Installation, Exhibitions, Fine Art, History, Interior Design, Vancouver

    Rosewood Hotel Georgia

    Since the Rosewood Hotel Georgia reopened its doors earlier this summer, I had been looking for the opportunity to visit both the hotel and its artwork. I already knew about the expansive collection that arts consultancy firm Farmboy Fine Arts had been busy curating, so when Vancouver PR firm Hawksworth Communications invited me to view the collection this week, I knew I’d found my chance.
    Read the rest of the post »

return home