Dear Premier Campbell,
re: Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), the voice for the architecture profession in Canada, has learned that you and your government are planning on making a significant physical change to Robson Square, an important architectural landmark and public space in Vancouver and North America.

I describe Robson Square as an architectural landmark because of its uniqueness as an architectural and an urban design solution, the numerous awards it has received worldwide, and because of its architect, Arthur Erickson, FRAIC, who has received the RAIC Gold Medal - the highest honor the profession in Canada can bestow. Landmark buildings, just like designated historic structures, deserve due process to ensure that significant design changes respect and enhance the building.

Mr. Premier, please do not rush into a quick solution to construct a roof structure that may not be reversible, appropriate, or sustainable just to impress the world during the Olympics! I urge you to undertake an appropriate consultation process, involving both the architectural community and the public at large, to ensure that a long term architectural legacy for Vancouver and the world is realized.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
THE ROYAL ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA

Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, FRAIC
President