Vancouver Unveils the Freedom Mobile Arch: A New Architectural Marvel

📅 2 weeks ago 🏷️ PCL Construction

The Freedom Mobile Arch opens at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition, showcasing innovative mass timber design and construction.

A remarkable new landmark has been unveiled at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition: the Freedom Mobile Arch. This impressive venue, which accommodates over 10,000 guests, is not just a space for entertainment but a gathering point for the community, hosting concerts and events that contribute to the city’s cultural fabric. What sets this structure apart is its designation as one of the largest free-span mass timber constructions globally, an achievement that challenges conventional design, engineering, and construction practices.
The Arch's design eliminates internal columns, allowing its expansive canopy to stretch overhead in a seamless span. This design choice creates a spacious, unobstructed environment that enhances the experience for visitors. Craig Enns, Senior Vice President & Area Manager at EllisDon, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Sites like this remind me how fun it is to do what we do." He recalled the moment he first encountered the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the PNE Amphitheatre, recognizing immediately that the project was a perfect fit for EllisDon due to its complexity and uniqueness.
Enns highlighted the numerous challenges the project faced, including geotechnical conditions, buttress foundations, and a distinctive glulam roof design. The project was further complicated by a stringent FIFA deadline, necessitating innovative solutions from the construction team. EllisDon's Construction Management team utilized a comprehensive approach, engaging various internal groups to navigate these challenges successfully.
The ground engineering team proposed a novel foundation design, while the construction sciences team spearheaded the mass timber strategy. In addition, EllisDon self-performed the concrete work, and Oxford Builders acquired high-capacity cranes specifically for this endeavor, along with most of the rental equipment required for the project. This collaborative effort led to a highly successful outcome, not only for EllisDon but also for the City of Vancouver, which now boasts a state-of-the-art venue.
Enns expressed immense pride in the local Construction Management team and all internal groups involved, emphasizing the project as a testament to teamwork and innovation in construction. The Freedom Mobile Arch stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when creativity meets engineering excellence, promising to be a cherished gathering spot for years to come.

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