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Last summer, news about a proposal for the world's tallest hybrid timber building spurred excitement among architecture aficionados in Vancouver, with a rendering showing the structure's inclined roof overlooking Coal Harbour. Additional visual materials are now illustrating how developer PortLiving and Shigeru Ban Architects plan to integrate the development with its surroundings, particularly the landmark Evergreen Building by late architect Arthur Erickson.
A new rendering depicting West Hastings and Jervis Streets highlights the proposed symbiotic relationship between the project and the Evergreen Building. A spiritual sequel to its neighbour, Terrace House borrows the geometry, use of natural materials, and vegetated volumes of Erickson's signature work. At 19 storeys and 71 metres tall, the building will just edge out the newly built wood-hybrid Brock Commons building at the University of British Columbia, which is the current tallest timber building.
Upon visiting the site, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban was reportedly swept away by the intrinsic beauty of the Evergreen Building, realizing that the new tower should complement the unique geometry of the 1980-built masterpiece. He even appointed Cornelia Oberlander, the landscape architect responsible for the Evergreen's overhanging gardens, to work on the project.
PortLiving has secured a development permit for Terrace House and now awaits granting of a building permit. Depending on approvals and the construction timetable, the development might not hold the tallest wood tower record for long, if at all. The relative ease of construction and a growing penchant towards natural materials has sparked competing proposals for wood buildings around the world, including in Chicago and London, where fantastical 80-storey supertalls would push the technology to its limits.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
