Definitely a good time of the year to come to the coast! This past week has been beautiful.

Although not a traditional architecture studio, www.molodesign.com does some very interesting work.

They mainly work at a smaller scale (furniture, lighting, etc.) but they just completed a museum in Japan as well.

On top of doing brilliant work, they are also very nice people, which is always a bonus.

Molo is fantastic.

Patkau is the leading firm there probably.

Arthur Erikson was a remarkable designer and has many fantastic buildings in Vancouver.

acton ostry (formerly acton johnson ostry) does some nice solid understated work...

bing thom is an older established firm that has done a lot of landmark projects...chan center for the performing arts, new aberdeen center

james k cheng is probably one of the earliest initiators of the ubiquitous podium and tower blocks which have brought residential living back downtown...shaw tower is the latest showcase project...

macfarlane green biggar is big on using manufactured wood products, and has some interesting airport projects...

and don't forget to go for a glass of wine at salt tasting room...

Ha, thanks for the replies everyone.

I probably should have added a "+ other cool/interesting/off the tourist-path suggestions" to that initial post.

But a glass of wine? I'll add it to the list. :)

You will want to pay a visit to www.japadog.com/en/

Don't let the terrible website throw you off -- or the sometimes stupidly large line-up. It is most certainly worth it!

You can't go wrong with the Terimayo.

^ yes! japadog; don't miss it. also: GYOZA KING; there are lots of izakayas in van but this is my favorite: http://www.jpcanada.com/info/gyoza_k/