Science rules: Science World tops Twitter poll as Vancouver's 'Most Iconic' Building

Science World, which has welcomed over 18 million British Columbians and tourists sinceopening as part of the Expo '86, has been crowned (unofficially) as Vancouver's most iconic building.

The geodesic dome, known formally as the Telus World of Science,garnered tens of thousands of votes in an Twitter poll conducted by CBC Vancouver's Municipal Reporter Justin McElroythis past week.

"It's been dominant this entire tournament ...It's tied to a seminal event in our history Expo and for people outside the city, as I was as a young child coming in from Victoria, there's something about taking the SkyTrain into town, seeing that dome and knowing you'refully in the heart of B.C.'s biggest metropolis," McElroy said.

Starting with a bracket of 32 buildings, McElroy, who describeshimself a "maniacal ranker of things,"wanted to find a building that truly represented Vancouver.

"As Hollywood North, we have a lot of buildings that are best known for being part of other cities, or just Generic City, U.S.A., in countless cities and films and this is a chance for people to consider them on their own," McElroy said.

"The idea of going to the public ... seemed like an enjoyable exercise in existential debate."

There were upsets and sentimental winners early onin the bracket.

The Vancouver Special a type of mass-produced housing stock in the Lower Mainland during the 1960s to 1980smade it all the way to the top eight, defeatingtraditional architectural darlings like the Hotel Vancouver and the Vancouver Hobbit House.

BrendanDawe, who runs a Twitter account showcasing the Vancouver Special, says even though the Vancouver Special is a mass-produced housing type, people have affectiontoward it because it's our mass-produced housing type.

Brent Toderian, former City of Vancouver chief planner, says iconic buildings take time to gain their iconic status.

"Icons aren't about branding. They are chosen by the public, not the marketer and they're usually a result of time," Toderian said.

"To proclaim oneself an icon, especially in its branding, seems to be like bragging at a party."

In the end, Science World took top spot.

Marine Building took second place, and here's how the other buildings fared:

1. Science World
2. Marine Building
3. Vancouver Public Library's Central Branch
4. Dominion Building
5. Canada Place
6. The Vancouver Special
7. The Museum of Anthropology
8. Sun Tower