Vancouver architect Bing Thom, who was known for iconic projects in Vancouver and around the world, died of a brain aneurysm at Hong Kong’s Eastern Hospital, his family revealed October 5.
He was 75.
Thom passed away October 4, in the afternoon, while wife Bonnie Thom, who shared his life for more than 50 years, was by his side, according to a statement.
Thom’s architecture career was extensive.
After completing a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a master's degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a short stint working with Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, Thom joined Canadian architect Arthur Erickson’s firm Arthur Erickson Architects.
There, he worked with Erickson on projects such as the Vancouver courthouse and Robson Square complex and the Air Defence Ministry Building in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
He established his own firm, Bing Thom Architects (BTA), in 1982.
Significant international projects through the years include, among many:
•the Expo 92 Canada Pavilion in Seville, Spain;
•Arena Stage Theatre in Washington, D.C.;
•Xiqu Centre Opera House in Hong Kong; and
•University of Chicago Centre in Hong Kong.
Local projects that his firm worked on included:
•the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC;
•Central City Surrey;
•Sunset Community Centre;
•Surrey City Centre Library;
•Guildford Aquatic Centre; and, currently;
•Simon Fraser University’s Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering Building.
Thom also sometimes waded into urban planning debates and suggested out-of-the-box ideas, such as creating a beach on the northeast shore of False Creek in 2011. This summer, entrepreneurs proposed to build a surf park on that site and to build a beach.
BTA’s leadership expanded in recent years to include principals Venelin Kokalov and Michael Heeney in Vancouver.
Francis Yan is managing director and based in Asia while others have helped the practice expand in Canada, Hong Kong and the U.S.
Venelin Kokalov will take on the role of principal-in-charge.
Venelin has been working alongside Thom as design principal for more than two decades and has been integral in developing the firm’s award winning projects.
Thom’s wish was see Venelin lead the firm, according to the company’s statement.
“I have been truly blessed to have been able to collaborate with Bing over the last two decades,” Venelin said.
“Under his mentorship, I grew not just as a designer, but also, through his example, as a leader.”
