Project Description

In 2023, Alliance Francaise de Vancouver (AFV) officially opened their newly-constructed, eco-friendly Cultural Centre.  This modern building, which replaced an outdated and limited structure, now provides ample space to accommodate classrooms, a resource center for students and members, B.C.’s largest French médiathèque/library, a performance theatre, an art gallery, and leased commercial space.  It is a a purpose-built educational and cultural facility of about 60,000-square feet to serve the growing community demand for AFV’s education and cultural programming.

The project consisted of demolishing the existing 8,500-square foot facility and replacing it with a hybrid mass timber structure.  The AFV partnered with the BC Government Mass Timber Action Plan to highlight the unique applications of Mass Timber throughout the project’s development.

Our Role

In late September 2022, RAM assumed the role of Owner’s Representative on behalf of AFV. Due to the complexities of the project and some ongoing delays, AFV retained RAM as Owner’s Representative in the function of construction management specialists to advise on the recommended path forward in support of AFV’s interests.

Our team’s responsibilities included:

• Coordinating meetings with the client;
• Providing technical reports and documentation;
• Organizing risk planning and mitigation workshops;
• Providing Quality Management services;
• Commercial support for project changes and change orders;
• Providing progress claim reviews.