inside the dominion

golden ears bridge

Celebrating one year, the Golden Ears Bridge connects Langley, Surrey, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.  It is a very elegant and minimal design, it felt like I was inside a musical instrument.

rollercoaster_2

thrill ride

The wooden rollercoaster at the PNE.  It was given landmark status last summer. It is over 50 years old, reaches a top speed of 80km/hr and is known to have great airtime.  The car is pulled by a chain up the first hill and then the rest of the ride is run by gravity.  Properly maintained, it can last forever.

the wall

It's difficult to get a sense of just how big this retaining wall is.  It is enormous.

Kylemore Abbey

This is a detail from the entrance to the beautiful gothic church on the property which was built 1877-81, Connemara in County Galway.

portal

This is the wall of a parking lot.  At some point, ground level must of been higher and this was an opening or some kind of tunnel entrance.

orange staircase

This is the back staircase in the apartment building that I used to live in.  The building dates from the 1920's I believe but I'm not sure when the staircase was put in.  I always had to think about this one, you couldn't just race out your door and run down the stairs - it definitely warranted a moment of pause.

the oriental

An example of Victorian Italianate Design, built in 1883.  It was originally The Oriental Hotel and in the future will be The Oriental condos.

Here are a couple of links with some more background information and some interesting photos including an historical shot of the cupola that use to grace the building.

rotunda

The rotunda of the City Hall in Dublin.  This neo-classical structure was built in the 18th century and originally functioned as the Royal Exchange; a meeting place for businessmen to buy and sell goods.  It became the City Hall in 1852.

the office

oval ceiling

Another rather abstract image of the Richmond Oval ceiling.

richmond oval

The Richmond Oval is the Olympic venue for speed skating.  For a few more days, it is open for public skating.  It's a rare opportunity to skate indoors for such a distance.  In December, Vanoc takes it over.

the temple building

This was designed by architect Samuel Maclure in 1893 in Victoria.  He was born in New Westminster BC and moved to Victoria in 1892.  He designed mostly residential buildings in Victoria and Vancouver however he did work on notable projects such as Hatley Castle, Colwood and was a landscape consultant to Mrs. Butchart at her public gardens for many years.

crystal garden

The diving lady of the Crystal Garden. Built in 1925, this was once the largest salt water indoor pool in the British Empire. No longer a pool, nor a home for exotic animals as it also once was; currently the lady is diving into a Christmas craft show.

under burrard

A view under the Burrard Bridge.  I love the patterning, it always makes me think of Inuit art.

rogers sugar factory

I've always loved this building as do a lot of Vancouverites.

parliament

A detail of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, BC, 1898.  The architect was Francis Rattenbury - other buildings of note: The Empress Hotel, Crystal Garden, both in Victoria and the Vancouver Art Gallery, formerly the courthouse.  Murder mystery fans will no doubt know his story.