A full landscape over a man-made structure defined the Robson Square Courthouse Complex, marking an early career milestone for the Canadian architect Bing Thom. His approach relied on the integration of natural vegetation with built environments, treating the ground and the building as an indivisible unit rather than as separate entities.
Formative Years and Education
Born in 1940 in British Hong Kong, Thom emigrated to Vancouver with his family in 1949. He pursued architectural studies at the University of British Columbia, followed by a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. After early teaching appointments in Singapore and Vancouver, he relocated to Tokyo in 1971 to work alongside Fumihiko Maki.
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Returning to Vancouver, Thom acted as project director for Arthur Erickson Architects on the Robson Square Courthouse Complex. This project established his focus on landscaping, which he continued during his collaborations with Erickson on Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and California Plaza in Los Angeles. Throughout these assignments, he refined his method of site-responsive design, often partnering with landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander to weave structures into their immediate environments.
Establishing Independent Practice
In 1981, Thom launched his own firm, Bing Thom Architects, headquartered in Vancouver with additional offices in Hong Kong and Washington D.C. Early commissions included work for Expo 86, most notably the Northwest Territories Pavilion. This success led to the design of the Canada Pavilion for Expo 92 in Seville, where his use of zinc-tiled walls and a landscaped courtyard created one of the fair's most visited sites.
Legacy and Accolades
Thom received significant recognition for his contributions to the profession, including the RAIC Gold Medal in 2011 and appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995. Following his death in 2016 from a brain aneurysm in Hong Kong, his firm transitioned into Revery Architecture. His extensive archives are maintained at the University of Calgary.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940, British Hong Kong
- Died: 2016, Hong Kong
- Citizenship: Canada
- Education: University of British Columbia; University of California, Berkeley
- Firm established: 1981
- RAIC Gold Medal: 2011
- Member of the Order of Canada: 1995
Questions readers ask
What was Bing Thom's design philosophy regarding landscaping?
He believed buildings and landscapes were indivisible, insisting that a building must grow from its foundation and relate directly to the property's natural characteristics.
What happened to his firm after he died?
Following his death in 2016, the practice was renamed Revery Architecture, which continued to complete his ongoing projects.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Trained at University of British Columbia and University of California, Berkeley
