Vancouver House
Catalyzing untapped urban spaces under the bridge- Location
- Vancouver, BC
- Client
- Westbank Project Corp.
- Completion
- 2020
- Size
- 65,032 sq m
- 700,000 sq ft
- Collaborators
- Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) - Design Architects
- Buro Happold
- BVDA Group Ltd.
- Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers
- ICON Pacific Construction Corp.
- Morrison Hershfield
- Nemetz & Associates
- PFS Studio
- WSP Canada Inc.
- DIALOG Services
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Planning & Urban Design
Vancouver House is a collaboration between DIALOG and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). This neighbourhood-scaled project is comprised of four highly crafted buildings at the north end of the Granville Bridge. The project's iconic tower dramatically unfolds from a mixed-use urban village under the bridge. This new neighbourhood is comprised of three intimately-scaled triangular buildings that provide spaces for working, shopping, and leisure. The tower gains its form in response to site constraints, shape shifting from a triangle at its base to a rectangle 500' above the bridge. A central cathedral-like urban realm below the bridge offers ample opportunity for a variety of uses and public events.
There was something drawing me to this project. I had to try it, and I had to convince others that it was doable. For me, it’s been transformational. Absolutely transformational.Vance Harris, Principal Architect
It All Started With A Sketch
Shape shift Negotiating a difficult site trisected by the Granville overpass and burdened by setbacks, the tower maximizes its mass where it has the most impact.
It All Started With A Sketch01
At its base, a 30m setback from the bridge dictates a triangular footprint on the ground. But as it ascends in elevation, the tower clears the zone of noise and visual chaos.
It All Started With A Sketch02
It then exploits the opportunity to overcome the setback and reclaims the valuable area. In doing so, it provides an icon for the city’s skyline and a generous public space at its base.
