Vancouver Architect Bing Thom Dies at 75

CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
IMAGE: UBC

The renowned architect, who designed such Vancouver landmarks as the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, died of a brain aneurysm October 4. He was on a trip to Hong Kong. His firm, Bing Thom Architects, has issued a statement.

Thom was born in Hong Kong and studied architecture at UBC and UC Berkeley before starting his own firm in Vancouver. In 1997, Thom's vision for the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC was unveiled, earning wide acclaim. Thom was also responsible for the redesign of Central City in Surrey in 2004, as well as Sunset Community Centre, Surrey City Centre Library and the Guildford Aquatic Centre.

Thom's notable projects abroad include Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong and the Arena Stage at the Mead Centre for American Theatre in Washington, D.C.

"Bing was one of those true giants of not just architecture but urbanism ... He was driven by pure passion and vision," said former Vancouver city planner Brent Toderian. "He was one of the people who was a key input into this thing we call the Vancouver model or 'Vancouverism'... I work all over the world and I am constantly running into his legacy.... It is amazing how far his vision has travelled."