High-End Custom Manufacturing Company
High-End Custom Manufacturing Company
As part of the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital, the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation sought to incorporate Indigenous artwork into the new facility in a meaningful and permanent way.
Working in partnership with Ballard Fine Art, MJY Fabrication was engaged to produce and install a series of large-scale architectural graphic installations featuring artwork by Coast Salish artist Margaret August. The project transformed prominent structural columns into vibrant cultural features that celebrate Indigenous artistic expression while contributing to a more welcoming and culturally reflective healthcare environment.
By integrating artwork directly into the architecture, the project demonstrates how public institutions can create spaces that foster connection, representation, and a stronger sense of place.
The project required translating original Indigenous artwork into large-scale architectural applications while preserving the integrity, detail, and visual impact of the artist’s work.
The artwork needed to wrap seamlessly around a series of structural columns that would become permanent visual features within the newly developed hospital environment. Maintaining continuity across curved surfaces required careful planning, precise production, and meticulous installation.
Beyond the technical requirements, the finished installation needed to honour the significance of the artwork, complement the surrounding architecture, and deliver a level of quality appropriate for one of British Columbia’s most significant healthcare facilities.
Rather than treating the columns as purely structural elements, the project transformed them into opportunities for cultural expression and storytelling.
Margaret August’s artwork was carefully adapted for architectural application, allowing the imagery to flow continuously around each column while maintaining clarity, scale, and visual impact.
The graphics were produced using materials selected for colour accuracy, durability, and long-term performance. Particular attention was paid to faithfully reproducing the vibrancy and detail of the original artwork at architectural scale.
Each column required precise alignment to maintain continuity across curved surfaces. Careful consideration of graphic placement, seam locations, and pattern transitions ensured the completed installation felt cohesive, intentional, and fully integrated into the built environment.
Successful delivery required close collaboration between the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, Ballard Fine Art, the artist, and MJY Fabrication.
Detailed site measurements, production planning, and installation sequencing allowed the artwork to be translated accurately onto the finished architectural surfaces while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
Throughout the project, the focus remained on delivering a permanent installation that respected both the artist’s vision and the significance of its setting.
Margaret August
Coast Salish Artist (they/them)
