The Vancouver Art Gallery has selected a new team of architects for the construction of its future building in Larwill park, in Vancouver. The Canadian Agencies Formline Architecture and Urbanism and KPMB Architects replace Herzog & de Meuron, whose contract has been interrupted.
The institution formalized on September 29, 2025 the signing of the new contract, almost a year after the interruption of the project in December 2024 for budgetary reasons. After a downward revision of its ambitions, the museum chose Formline for its approach inspired by Aboriginal cultures and KPMB for its technical expertise. The first sketches were expected in 2026.
Launched in 2014, the initial project designed by Herzog & de Meuron had experienced significant delays, aggravated by the rise in construction costs, from 250 to 370 million euros. This budgetary surpassing had led to the site stops after more than ten years of preparation. The building was to extend over 35,000 m² spread over nine floors, with a facade referring to traditional indigenous weaving.
Funding is mainly based on private funds, the public share representing only 37 % of the total. The patrons had also indicated that it was necessary to maintain a link with indigenous creation. The move aimed to solve the problem of current museum reserve spaces.
Located in the city center, in a former courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931. It retains more than 12,000 works covering different periods and granting an important place to Aboriginal artists.
