The Foundation Stone

The construction phase of a development project is commonly celebrated with a ground breaking event, usually featuring some well dressed folks in hard hats, wielding brand new shovels.

At Rize, we have our own unique construction celebrations and they are focused around a foundation stone. We add a symbolic object and gesture of meaning once excavation is complete and concrete footings have begun.

This concept has existed for thousands of years, where the placement of an object with significance is intended to bring good luck during construction and throughout the life of the building.

GOOD LUCK / TIME CAPSULE

At The Independent in Mt.Pleasant, we invited home purchasers and our consultants to participate in a contemporary version of this tradition by providing a great variety of good luck tokens. These items were placed in a steel box and buried in a secret location below the parkade foundation. Hidden below many levels of concrete and steel, this box of mementos could rest beneath the building for centuries.

A LAYER OF GOLD

At Gold House in Burnaby, rather that placing an object within the foundation, we chose to gold leaf the entire first pour (footings). To further the sentiment of good luck, and to have some fun,  the team set off a cloudburst of gold confetti above and into the site while each of us made a good luck wishes.

A NEW BEGINNING

These ceremonies are important to us and give our team and project stakeholders a chance to come together with those who have contributed throughout the development process. It’s an opportunity to give thanks and best wishes for a new community.