The Vancouver Art Gallery has selected a Canadian architectural team to design its new building, marking a fresh start after abandoning costly plans from internationally renowned architects last year. The museum announced that Vancouver-based Formline Architecture and Urbanism, partnering with Toronto-based KPMB Architects, won the commission from among 14 Canadian architectural firms that submitted proposals for the gallery's future home at Larwill Park on 181 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.

This selection comes ten months after the institution made the difficult decision to scrap its ambitious plans for a new building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. The original project's costs had spiraled dramatically, increasing by 50 percent from the initial estimate of C$400 million ($296.4 million) to a staggering C$600 million ($444.6 million). The gallery had already invested approximately C$60 million ($42 million) in the abandoned project before pulling the plug.

The fallout from the failed Herzog & de Meuron project extended beyond financial losses. Following the cancellation of the high-profile design, the museum also parted ways with its director and chief executive Anthony Kiendl, who had led the institution for five years. The leadership change marked a significant shift in the gallery's approach to its expansion plans.

The need for a new facility has become increasingly urgent as the Vancouver Art Gallery has outgrown its current 165,000-square-foot location. The museum currently occupies a historic 1913 former courthouse that was renovated by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson and has served as the gallery's home since 1983. The vision for a new, larger facility was first initiated 13 years ago by the museum's former director Kathleen Bartels, who recognized the institution's need for expanded space and modern amenities.

According to the gallery's official statement, the institution expects to have a preliminary design for the new building project completed by next year. However, museum officials have remained tight-lipped about crucial details, including the project's budget, construction timeline, and the expected opening date of the new facility. This cautious approach likely reflects lessons learned from the previous project's cost overruns and complications.

Jon Stovell, chair of the Gallery Association Board, praised the selection of the all-Canadian architectural team as both strategic and meaningful. "The selection of Formline and KPMB to envision the new gallery is a bold and topical statement supporting Canadian innovation and excellence," Stovell explained. He highlighted KPMB Architects' "proven track record for creating elegant, world-class museums that center art and community," while noting that "British Columbia-based Formline Architecture and Urbanism leads with an Indigenous design vision that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition."

KPMB Architects brings impressive credentials to the project, having designed several notable cultural institutions across Canada. Their portfolio includes the acclaimed Remai Modern in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax. This experience with museum design appears to align perfectly with the requirements set forth by major donor Michael Audain, who pledged C$100 million ($71.7 million) to the new Vancouver Art Gallery project with the specific condition that the institution hire a Canadian architect.

The choice of KPMB also carries personal significance for the firm's founding partner, Bruce Kuwabara, who has deep connections to British Columbia. "Following their release from an internment camp in British Columbia, my family relocated to Hamilton where I was born," Kuwabara shared, referencing his family's experience during World War II. "Returning to the province to design the Vancouver Art Gallery is deeply meaningful for me."

Kuwabara expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: "It's an honor to collaborate with Alfred Waugh and Formline to help shape the future of an institution that holds such profound cultural and civic significance for Vancouver and British Columbia—places that express a diversity of world views all at once." This partnership represents a unique blend of established museum expertise and Indigenous design philosophy.

Formline Architecture and Urbanism, led by founder and principal Alfred Waugh, brings a distinctive perspective rooted in Indigenous design principles and cultural understanding. The firm's impressive portfolio includes the 2018 Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia and the 2010 First Peoples House at the University of Victoria, both projects that demonstrate their ability to create culturally significant and architecturally striking buildings.

For Alfred Waugh, this commission represents the fulfillment of a deeply personal mission. "Our team is deeply honored to receive the commission to design the new Vancouver Art Gallery, as it brings my personal journey full circle in a profound way," Waugh reflected. He shared an touching story about his motivation: "My mother left this world too early, and during my formative years, she asked me to do something meaningful for our people—a request that has sparked my journey into architecture."

Waugh emphasized the project's broader cultural significance, explaining: "Now we have been privileged with this opportunity to celebrate Vancouver's vibrant culture while honoring the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for generations and paying tribute to the beautiful mountains and lush rainforests that define our region." This vision suggests the new gallery will reflect both the city's contemporary cultural diversity and its deep Indigenous roots.

The Vancouver Art Gallery's decision to start fresh with a Canadian architectural team represents a strategic pivot toward more manageable costs, local expertise, and cultural authenticity. After the expensive lessons learned from the Herzog & de Meuron experience, the institution appears committed to a more measured approach that honors both fiscal responsibility and the unique character of Vancouver's cultural landscape.