Robson Central, 1957/1996

• Constructed 1957/1996
• Located Vancouver, BC
• Architects
  Semmens & Simpson Architects (1957)
  James Cheng Architects (1996)
• Public Art
  Patricia Thomas, Lionel Thomas, F. Lachnit
• Use Civic/Commercial
• Recognition
  Massey Silver Medal for Architecture (1958)

Robson Central has had a very public life. Under the influence of International Modernism, the building was originally designed by Semmens & Simpson to house the new Vancouver Central Library (1957). In the mid-1990s, after the library moved to its new location, the building was renovated by architect James Cheng. In the time since, it has housed television and radio studios, Virgin Megastore, Planet Hollywood, HMV, and numerous other retail outlets.

On the northwest corner of the building, along Burrard Street, is a place-specific public art sculpture designed by Patricia & Lionel Thomas with F. Lachnit. Entitled “Symbols of the Cuneiforms,” the artwork, constructed of metal relief and illuminated plexiglass inserts, features a series of abstracted, cuneiform-inspired designs. Originally installed in 1960, the sculpture was retained during the 1996 renovations.