A representative of the design team involved in Nelson’s Hall Street Pier feels proud to have contributed to something that is being praised for its impact on the community.
Last week, the City of Nelson announced that its Hall Street Pier project has won an Award of Excellence through Canadian Architecture magazine.
Matthew Stanley, owner of the Stanley Office of Architecture based out of Nelson, was a part of the team that designed the project.
Although winning the award brought him and his team pride, Stanley praised the City of Nelson for seeing the project through, which he says will bring immense value to the community’s future.
“Working on the project for so long, you’re always proud of your projects, but it’s wonderful to see that kind of recognition as a community member, to see other people recognizing the value that this is going to have for the community.”
Stanley explained that the project was specifically recognized by a third-party panel of jurors for how it will transform the community’s waterfront, making it an integral part of people’s everyday lives. He says the project was compared to some of the best in Canada.
“For the city, for council and for the people of Nelson, this would be a very affirming and validating moment in the project.“
The design itself is quite simple. Stanley explained how there are only four key elements: the pier, the Ladybird display, the swimming area, and the canopy, which is Stanley’s favourite feature.
He says the canopy element is what will draw people to the area, as it provides shelter for year-round use and celebrates the connection between the city and the lake.
“I think the canopy is something that we can be really proud of. It represents the city’s commitment to develop in quality space. For me, the canopy element was not only crucial for the design, but it also represents our city’s commitment and their courage to move beyond the status quo that is at the waterfront and to develop a better future for the city.“
The project’s vision was developed through public consultation and city planning documents. Stanley says the vision was identified long before his team started working on the design in 2020.
“Everything that you see in the design of the pier is in service to fulfilling that vision, which is the city’s vision. As the design team, our entire focus is to give that vision a form and bring it to a built reality so that everyone in Nelson can enjoy bringing friends and family to a really prominent public space on the waterfront that feels connected to the downtown core.”
Stanley, who has over 50 copies of last week’s edition of the Canadian Architecture, says although the award doesn’t bring any monetary gain, he is excited for how it reaffirmed and validated the good it will bring to the community.
“The national recognition at a very high level from a third-party group is a real affirmation and validation for the community, and at this time in the project, it’s wonderful timing because it’s really giving everybody that extra oomph to want to finish strong on this project and to open it in the spring.”