As a key member of the design consortium for the Expo Line, VIA developed its systems approach to transit architecture on the Expo Line, Vancouver's first elevated light rail rapid transit system. Our work included alignment planning, the development of the system-wide kit of parts, and the design of Stadium, Burrard, Granville, Waterfront, Columbia and Gateway Stations. The system opened in 1986, coinciding with the Expo '86 World's Fair held on the north shore of False Creek.

The original design of the underground Granville Station began with an assessment of three potential sites, all requiring integration with existing commercial developments. The best location was determined to be below Seymour and Dunsmuir Streets, with the main entrance routed through The Bay department store, a Class A Heritage Building. This work included fitting fire stairs through existing structures, planning for future station entrances, and integrating facility needs for both the station and The Bay so that both benefited.

VIA also provided design services for the renovation of the station in 2006 to allow full disabled access from street level. In the course of a system-wide accessibility review of TransLink's assets, VIA identified the opportunity for joint development of a new station house at Granville Station. Enabling the rezoning and expansion of the development plan, this integration has resulted in completion of a new station house with full public access for the same cost to TransLink as a stand alone elevator for disabled access.

Burrard Station required a different approach to underground station design in order to accommodate the City's request for a park associated with the station entrance. Our design solution was to carve Discovery Square out of the surrounding grade, creating a green sanctuary in the heart of the city's business district and a level entrance into the station structure. This provides the SkyTrain entrance pavilion an architectural presence evocative of an inner-city greenhouse. Winner of the 1989 Premier's Award for Accessible Design and the American Society of Landscape Architects Award in 1990.