Drinks and discussions with Expo architects about the impact of the city’s biggest event.

Expo 86 was a game changer for the city! It was one of the largest public events ever held in British Columbia; a catalyst for major real-estate, infrastructural, and architectural projects. The fair, which attracted over 22 million visitors, endowed Vancouver with international stature: the provincial town grew bolder and became recognized as a city with boundless potential. The Museum of Vancouver marks Expo’s 30th anniversary with a display, Recollecting Expo '86, and a special discussion led by four architects instrumental in the development of the exposition.

Please join us to celebrate and reconnect with friends and architects Bruno Freschi, Expo Chief Architect and Master Planner and designer of EXPO Centre (now Science World); Alan Hart, contributor to the livable regional plan and the development of SKYTRAIN; Clive Grout, consulted in corporate pavilions including Canada Pacific, General Motors, the BC Pavilion, Plaza of Nations, and Expo Gate; and Peter Cardew, who contributed to the Expo Gate and CN Rail Pavilion.

Local designers worked collaboratively to make Vancouver an international symbol of the future city. The subsequent sale of Expo lands set the stage for further transformation. Come hear first-hand about a massive project that brought unique challenges and left special memories. Each architect will share stories and answer questions about the impact of Expo 86.

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Bruno Freschi has been involved internationally in research in architecture and urbanism. He founded Bruno Freschi Architecture/Planning/Research in Vancouver in 1975. The firm focuses on residential, cultural, and commercial projects. Freschi has practiced in Canada, United States, England, Italy, and Switzerland. Bruno was the Chief Architect and Master Planner of the 1986 World Exposition and designed EXPO Centre (Science World). His awards include the Order of Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Governor General’s Medal. In 1988, Freschi was appointed Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the State University of New York.

Alan Hart is Founding Principal, VIA Architecture. Throughout his career as planner and architect, Hart has drawn on his experience collaborating with the talented and passionate teams involved in SkyTrain and Expo 86. His practice is dedicated to planning, designing, and building sustainable communities. VIA Architecture, has offices in Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco.

Clive Grout is known for a wide range of design including visitor attractions, airports, public art management, and the masterplanning of urban mixed-use developments. As a result of his experience designing four pavilions at Expo 86, Grout worked on master planning of the Swiss Expo 2002, Barcelona Forum 2004, and the USA Pavilion in Shanghai Expo 2010. Grout is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and has received many design awards for his work. He founded Grout McTavish Architects in 2005.

Believing that specialization is the antidote to innovation, Peter Cardew established his firm in 1980 in order to pursue a diverse variety of building types that subsequently have been acknowledged for their conceptual clarity, and recognized internationally through numerous awards and publications. Peter has been invited to lecture about the firm's work throughout North America, Europe and Asia and continues to work in the optimistic belief that Vancouver could one day become a great city. In 2012 Peter was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal, the highest honour bestowed in recognition of a significant and lasting contribution to Canadian architecture.