Expo '86 was a World's Fair held in Vancouver from May 2 until October 13, 1986. The fair, the theme of which was "Transportation and Communication: World in Motion - World in Touch", coincided with Vancouver's centennial and was held on the north shore of False Creek. The event was a significant one in Vancouver's history because it showcased the city to a world audience; the resulting realization of Vancouver's livable urban potential and subsequent development boom is largely credited to the awareness developed during the five-month event. The fair was also an opportunity for VIA Architecture to contribute several small but strategic design pieces that are remembered fondly as significant beginnings to the firm's collective design portfolio.

Our commissions for the fair included the Discovery Trees and the BC Revue at the BC Pavilion, and the Canada Gate at the Canada Pavilion. In the years since the event, VIA has provided design and renovation services for all four of the Expo '86 legacy buildings: BC Pavilion, the Roundhouse, Science World and the Canada Pavilion.