The design story 01
A simple structure
The very first concept for Keith Drive started with vertical columns and shaded glazing treatments.
2150 Keith Drive is an innovative 10-storey mass timber building targeting high-performance environmental standards and will regenerate an emerging industrial neighbourhood. A cellular exoskeleton gives the building its striking appearance and provides a direct expression of its unique braced frame structural system. It will be the tallest braced frame mass timber project in North America. Nature’s Path, an industry leader in organic food development and sustainable food production, will be the lead tenant. The building will serve as an extension of the company’s values and practices. Features include office space, flexible meeting areas, wellness and social spaces, and a rooftop deck.
Mass timber is comparable to conventional steel and concrete construction in terms of function, layout and constructability, but is more sustainable and creates a beautiful workplace.Martin Nielsen, DIALOG Principal-in-Charge
The design story 01
The very first concept for Keith Drive started with vertical columns and shaded glazing treatments.
The design story 02
Vertical structural bracing was added to the concept.
The design story 03
The next step from vertical bracing was to connect the dots, and create the honeycomb shapes that characterize the building.
The design story 04
There were four key areas in the bracing system, which carry the building load and resist seismic forces.
The design story 05
This early drawing of the building shows its relationship to the East Van Cross and SkyTrain line
The design story 06
Several constraints on site informed the shape of the building. These included a narrow site; major encumbrances: a statutory right of way (SRW) of +/- 4 metres to the north for the LRT station (yellow), a +/- 3 metre setback to the south for a greenway / bike route (green), and a 9.1 metre sewer SRW running diagonally through the site (red); 12 metres in elevation gain from west to east; proximity to significant public art (East Van Cross); and a single vehicle access point (Keith Drive - purple)
The design story 07
The building’s shape was influenced by the setbacks and right-of-ways on all four sides.
The design story 08
Keith Drive was originally designed to be eight storeys, but grew to 10 at the City’s request.
The design story 09
The project boasts a green roof, balcony gardens, and landscaping tied into an ecological corridor.
The design story 10
Rainwater will be collected from the roof and carried down to the ground through a system of pipes on the south facade of the building. It will be stored in an underground cistern and then used for landscape irrigation and building services.
The design story 11
Keith Drive’s form is relatively long and narrow. The long face is oriented to the south, allowing the daylighting strategy to take advantage of that exposure. The balconies will act as fixed shading devices that reduce the amount of heat gain.