Robson Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robson Square |
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| Public square | |
 Robson Square Plaza |
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| Features: | Skating rink, waterfalls |
| Design: | Arthur Erickson (plan) Cornelia Oberlander (landscape) |
| Opening date: | 1983 |
| Surface: | concrete,grass |
| Location: | Vancouver, BC, Canada |
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Location of Robson Square in Vancouver |
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Robson Square is a famous public space in Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. It's a special place where government buildings, a university campus, and public areas all come together. You can find the Provincial Law Courts, the UBC Robson Square campus, and government offices here. It also connects to the Vancouver Art Gallery, making it a central spot in the city.
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The Story Behind Robson Square
Before Robson Square was built, there was a plan for a very tall skyscraper called the British Columbia Centre. This building would have been the tallest in Vancouver. But in 1972, the government changed. The new leaders were worried the skyscraper would cast a huge shadow over downtown.
They asked a famous architect named Arthur Erickson to create a new design. Erickson had a unique idea: instead of a tall building, he imagined a skyscraper lying on its side. He called it "the B.C. Centre on its back."
Erickson wanted Robson Square to be a place for everyone. He designed it with the law courts at one end and the art gallery at the other. This showed how important law and art are to society. The government offices were placed underneath, quietly supporting the people.
Cool Features of Robson Square
Robson Square was finished between 1979 and 1983. It covers three city blocks and has a huge amount of space, about 1.3 million square feet.
The Law Courts and Public Space
The main part of Robson Square is the Law Courts. This building has a glass roof and holds 35 courtrooms. The glass roof is very large, covering about 50,000 square feet of public space. It lets in lots of natural light.
Waterfalls and Green Spaces
In the middle section, you'll find provincial government offices and part of the University of British Columbia's downtown campus. Above these, there are three beautiful waterfalls. These waterfalls use hundreds of thousands of gallons of water and help keep the area cool naturally.
Robson Square is mostly made of concrete, but it feels soft and natural. This is because of the many trees, plants, and water features. There are also gently sloping ramps and stairs, making it easy to move around. The open design allows for fresh air and natural light. The sound of the waterfalls helps to block out city noise. The landscape design was created by Cornelia Oberlander.
The Skating Rink and Events
At the lower level, there's an outdoor skating rink. This rink goes under Robson Street and connects to the Vancouver Art Gallery. It's the only outdoor public skating rink in Vancouver and is free to use in the winter. You can rent skates for a small fee.
When it's warmer, the rink area is used for many public events. People enjoy ballroom dancing and Salsa dancing here. It's also a popular spot for Vancouver's street-dance scene.
A Successful Design
Robson Square is considered a very successful public space. It follows ideas from urban planner William H. Whyte, who studied what makes public spaces enjoyable. The design of Robson Square helps people use and enjoy the area.
The whole complex cost about $139 million to build. The government offices were finished first in 1978, followed by the Law Courts. The old court building was then renovated to become the new Vancouver Art Gallery, which opened in 1983.
In 2009, Robson Square reopened after a big renovation project. This was just before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. The renovations made it ready to welcome visitors for the Olympic Games.
