Architectural Response
The design of 1550 Alberni Street is shaped by its environment. The 43-storey tower is carved by two emphatic scoops that form deep balconies furnished in wood. In both instances, the carvings create semi-enclosures that strengthen their relations to the street and to the views – to its urban and geographic context while optimizing neighbourhood views past the project.
Because of the way the otherwise orthogonal tower is carved, its silhouette constantly changes, creating illusionary profiles of arching cantilevers. The reality is far more structured as the carved deductions are diagonally symmetrical, the lower portion helping to counterbalance the hanging volume above.
The tower meets the ground with two intersecting domes that embrace Alberni and Cardero Street. Under the arching structures, an extensive moss garden defines the entrance and flows to the swimming pool above. In keeping with Japanese spatial traditions, the emphasis is on the atmosphere rather than the object: without drawing attention to a particular point laden with meaning, the void elicits a serene visceral experience that could be shared by all.
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning24
Formal Strategy
Deductive optimization
Maximum Extrusion Carved deductions Contrasting composition
25
Dual orientation Forecourt/back serving Elevated gardens
Urban Strategy
Carve and connect to surroundings; sensitive sculptural form to neighbourhood views
23
Servicing
Parking Entry Alberni St
Robson St
Dual orientation Garden lobby/back serving Elevated gardens
Urban Strategy
Carve and connect to surroundings
Optimizing Views Past
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning26
10F10F
22F22F
40F40F
CONSISTENT FLOOR AREAS
Consistent Floor Areas
Carved forms create the balanced appearance of asymmetry within rational geometry while meeting an agreed average 6,595sf (613m2) floorplate for the tower above podium level.
40F 40F
22F 22F
10F 10F
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning30
JAPANESE GARDENS
absense of objects / presense of space
Japanese Gardens
The absence of objects / presence of space
31
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WOOD JOINERY
construction of environments
GC Prostho Museum Starbucks Dazaifu
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LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6
LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6
LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
Wood Joinery and Land Art
GC Prostho MuseumKengo Kuma Architects and Associates
RoofAndy Goldsworthy
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 3
WOOD JOINERY
construction of environments
GC Prostho Museum Starbucks Dazaifu
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6
LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6
LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6
LAND ART
crafting the organic
Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning38
Proposed intersection at Cardero and Alberni Streets
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning40
Public Realm
Alberni Street
Prop
erty
Lin
e
Prop
erty
Lin
e
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning42
Public Realm
Lane Elevation
Prop
erty
Lin
e
Prop
erty
Lin
e
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning46
80’-0”80’-0”
VIEW CONE 3.2.1
PRO
PERT
Y L
INE
PRO
PERT
Y L
INE
VIEW CONE EL. 146.86m
PARAPET EL. 146.60m
VIEW CONE EL. 146.70m
80’-0” 80’-0”
Dual Materiality
Organic and prismatic
North Elevation, Alberni Street
+0.00m
47
80’-0”
VIEW CONE 3.2.1
PRO
PERT
Y L
INE
PRO
PERT
Y L
INE
1555 Robson St.
7.0 FSR
2.6 FSR
VIEW CONE EL. 146.78m
PARAPET EL. 146.60m
VIEW CONE EL. 146.86m
(434
’-0”
)13
2.35
m
West Elevation, Cardero Street
+0.00m
49
Architectural Façade
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ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
ephemeral facade / semi-enclosed spaces
FRAC Marseille Great (Bamboo) Wall
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9
FACADE MATERIALITY
subtle distortion and gentle disappearance
polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9
FACADE MATERIALITY
subtle distortion and gentle disappearance
polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006
FRAC Marseille Great Bamboo Wall
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 8
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
ephemeral facade / semi-enclosed spaces
FRAC Marseille Great (Bamboo) Wall
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9
FACADE MATERIALITY
subtle distortion and gentle disappearance
polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006
1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9
FACADE MATERIALITY
subtle distortion and gentle disappearance
polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006
1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning50
Ephemeral Façade
Façade MaterialitySubtle distortion and gentle disappearance
Façade EffectEphemeral qualities with minimal details
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