Bing Thom, the lauded Canadian architect, died of a brain aneurysm at age 75 while on a trip to Hong Kong, the city of his birth.

Thom was one of Canada's most admired architects. He was awarded the Order of Canada, the Golden Jubilee Medal, the RAIC Medal, the Margolese Prize, as well as honorary degrees from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.

Thom studied architecture at the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley. He worked for Arthur Erickson and Fumihiko Maki before opening his own firm in 1981, Bing Thom Architects.

Some of the most notable projects by Bing Thom Architects are the Central City plaza, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the Aberdeen Centre, and the Sunset Community Centre—all in British Columbia, where Thom lived and worked. Bing Thom Architects also built in the United States, China, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

“Bing believed architecture transcends the building, to shine its light onto its surroundings,” writes his wife of fifty years, Bonnie Thom. “He was so happy his architects also pursue this adventure of ‘building beyond building’."

Venelin Kokalov, a Principal of Bing Thom Architects, will assume the role of Principal-in-Charge.

“I have been truly blessed to have been able to collaborate with Bing over the last two decades,” states Kokalov. “Under his mentorship, I grew not just as a designer but also, through his example, as a leader. Bing has made my transition to Principal-in-Charge feasible and I am committed to carrying Bing’s dreams and vision into the future."

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