Buildings 3 and 4, Cates Square, Bowen Island, B.C.


Designed in collaboration with Nicholson Tamaki Architects, these two buildings house a variety of uses. Building #3 (Post Office) includes retail spaces at grade with a covered sidewalk area. The upper levels provide much needed rental dwellings in the form of two and three bedroom two level town homes access from a covered walkway. The East facing roof decks have ocean views over the roof of the adjacent Ruddy Potato building. Straight forward frame construction was used, wood siding, and timber support columns at the sidewalk level. Its three storey form frames Cates Square and provides a visual screen for the high rock cliff behind.

The adjacent Building #4 (Video Store) is also a mixed use building. The main level has smaller retail stores and offices including the Village Baker with its sunny patio area. From the semiprivate courtyard behind, individual front doors lead to private stairs up to one level apartments with either one and two bedrooms and small roof decks. The exterior materials are from the Island’s palette while the building form frames the South end of Cates Square and provides retail interest along Dorman Road.