Credit: Ema Peter.
Highlighting the recently completed Vancouver building’s “aqueous form,” the KPF President and Design Principal provided insight into the design inspiration and approach.
On the origins of 320 Granville, Jamie shared “the brief was to design an office building that would take best advantage of an amazing site, where Granville comes down to the Waterfront Station.” The design team’s “natural inclination was to design a building that responds to its seaside environment,” he continues, resulting in a series of concave and convex undulations on the façade, and rounded edges at its three corners. A rippled effect on the façade was achieved by adding variety in the glass bands. “The curved form of the tower, and the waved top parapets, reflect our idea of giving the building an aqueous form,” Jamie said, “the resulting light reflections and scalloped shadows have the effect of breaking down the scale of the tower.”
The article notes how the building responds to its busy site with a recessed entry and large columns to support the upper floors. The public can access a café on the ground floor, separated from the tenant lobby by glass to remove visual barriers. Other amenities at 320 Granville include bicycle storage and locker room facilities, as well as a rooftop lounge with landscaped outdoor space.
Read the full article from Dezeen here.