Last night, the Seattle chapter of American Institute of Architects presented four awards for 2009. The most impressive work on that list was, of course, LMN's expansion of the Vancouver Centre:

...The jurors were impressed with how the project relates to the city and the water, as well as the inclusion of sustainable elements such as the green roof which “feels more like a rooftop park.”

I was simply impressed with the scale and raw ambition of the project—pure muscle. When it comes to the question of scale, I will always side with Haussmann and Moses; when it comes to the question of politics, I will never side with those earthmovers. LMN also designed the Benaroya Hall and downtown's wonderful entrance. The other notable project on the list was Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen's Wing Luke Asian Museum.

The image is by LMN.