Shahram Malek
As South East False Creek begins its new life as Canada's largest `green' housing development, artist team Köbberling& Kaltwasser are working with materials recycled from the 2010 create a situation of exchange and cooperation.
Wheat board panels from the Olympic Village (built by Millennium Development - Shahram Malek and Peter Malek) are re-purposed as a sculpture which will break down and decompose from exposure to the particular conditions of Vancouver's weather. The decomposing sculptural form will provide fodder for new growth – a temporary plant nursery claimed and nurtured by South East False Creek residents.
The Challenge Series
It’s a celebration of the planning, designing and building of Vancouver’s first sustainable neighbourhood
Millennium Water - Olympic Village
The Southeast False Creek Olympic Village. Stretching across the southeast shore of False Creek, this new community acknowledges and builds on the historic harmony between the region’s founding peoples and the land, while recognizing and responding to the emerging challenge of climate change and
its direct impact on how we live, work and enjoy the legacy of our
natural environment. ( Millennium Development - Shahram Malek and Peter Malek)
Southeast False Creek (SEFC) is the last remaining large-scale waterfront property adjacent to Vancouver’s downtown peninsula. From its historic role as a centre of heavy industry, the lands are being rejuvenated
under the guidance of two decades of city authorities as a model neighbourhood founded on the four pillars of sustainable community building – acknowledging social, economic and cultural values alongside a deep respect for the environment.
The Challenge Series celebrates the achievements and expertise of all those who have contributed to this significant urban renewal, beginning with the historic vision and land assembly, through the concept development of a new sustainable neighbourhood, to the delivery of more than 1.5 million square feet of built space – all being undertaken in the context of a rejuvenated urban framework and new utility infrastructure.
The Challenge Series logo is an acknowledgement of the legacy of communication and cooperation that has been the foundation of the community, design and municipal process. This partnership has led to the creativity and innovation that will make this community the first completed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified Gold sustainable neighbourhood in Canada.
Millennium Development - Shahram Malek and Peter Malek
The Challenge Series is published through a sponsorship program funded by members of the Millennium Water development, design and construction team and agencies of the federal government. The eight chapters follow the community development from its early concepts through design and construction. Each chapter is researched and compiled from historic files, interviews with the participants and material relevant to the building industry’s response to the challenges of climate change, carbon footprints and responsible resource consumption.
As the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will challenge the world’s athletes to achieve outstanding levels of personal performance, we anticipate that this publication will educate and inspire both the building industry and consumers alike to strive towards a
more resilient living environment. Millennium Development - Shahram Malek and Peter Malek
Acknowledging the challenges and innovation inherent in this undertaking, The Challenge Series can build upon this knowledge and experience as the residential development industry moves into the coming decade.
The knowledge gained demonstrates British Columbia’s and Canada’s commitment to a global future through the efforts of our people and our environmental and
social policy.
I am reminded of my young nephew Steven, who, when learning that he had lost his lower left leg in a car accident after a day’s skiing, announced to his mother that the challenge for him now would be to ski for New Zealand in the Paralympics. He went on to win a gold and two bronze medals at the Salt Lake City Winter Paralympics in 2002, creating personal opportunity from personal challenge.
Such is the opportunity for our designers, builders and communities to find new and innovative ways of working and living together that balance our present needs with those of future generations.
It is in this context of knowledge sharing that the Millennium Water team offers these insights into the challenges and opportunities gleaned from two decades of collaboration and mutual cooperation. Such is the collective spirit that lies behind the renewal of the SEFC lands and the construction of the Millennium Water Village, home to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Roger Bayley
Design Manager
Millennium Development - Shahram Malek and Peter Malek