Spirit Square, Victoria

Spirit Square is a renovation of the southwest precinct of Centennial Square, the main civic space in Victoria, BC. The project enabled the city to diversity the square’s programming with a renewed set of event spaces, infrastructures and amenities. The back end of a theatre became the front, with the addition of a new outdoor stage and canopy. Adjacent, a new amphitheater provides flexible seating for groups of up to 700 people. Various “performance pebbles” facilitate small events within the amphitheater, AND it converts into a water-play mist-garden when not in use for performances.

Nearby, a large unused swath of plaza space has been outfitted with underground services (electrical, water and in-ground umbrella foundations) for market and other festival uses. A large ladle-like fountain called the “Big Dipper” was designed for the southern edge of the plaza. The fountain not only nourishes people, it also waters a native plant garden in the summer months.

This project was co-designed with Joseph Daly, Landscape Architect and project coordinator in Victoria.