Concord Pacific Towers | Proposed

[Hed Kandi]

Vancouver Pair





Shaping a Powerful Urban Connection
LOCATION
Vancouver / Canada

ARCHITECT
Studio Gang Architects

OWNER
Concord Pacific

STATUS
Concept Completed 2010

LEED RATING
Targeted Silver


These two towers for downtown Vancouver work together and with the fabric of the city to achieve what so many high-rise projects lack: an active and exciting public space at ground level. Transforming from concave at the base to convex at the top, the towers circumscribe a public plaza that connects pedestrians with the adjacent waterfront park. Their sinuous forms take on the smooth, sculptural appearance of driftwood, an element produced by this region's unique proximity of wooded mountains and sea.

Formed and oriented to maximize light and views for the residential units, the towers are also strategically designed for sustainability. Water, solar, geothermal, and ventilation strategies reduce the buildings’ energy footprint, while their green roof gardens reduce the heat island effect and offer residents a pleasant outdoor experience in the heart of the city.






Additional images at link below.

All images credited to: http://www.studiogang.net/work/2009/vancouverpair

[red-paladin]

I think I just had a nosebleed

[Hed Kandi]

This development is part of Concord's 'Vancouver 2020' plan which debuted at the 2010 Olympics.

I've circled the plot of the two towers.



Image credited to: http://concordpacific.com/location-map.htm

[Yume-sama]

Wow, they look really nice. But, is this project dead? The link is from 2009? They probably look like big green-glassed boxes once the UDP gets through with them.

[logan5]

It's vancouver's version of all world mississauga or whatever it's called. Is this a serious proposal?
It must be be a conceptual plan due to its conceptual status. I think I answered my own question.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by logan5

It's vancouver's version of all world mississauga or whatever it's called. Is this a serious proposal?
It must be be a conceptual plan due to its conceptual status. I think I answered my own question.

If it wasn't for the fact that the architect is the same as Aqua in Chicago I wouldn't take this proposal seriously at all. Definitely conceptual, but who knows, by 2020 this city might have an appetite for such a ground breaking design. Look how far and high we've come in the last ten years.

[quobobo]

Whoa! Big fan of the overall shape, but the huge empty space between the towers is a little alienating. At least plant more than 3 trees...

[Hed Kandi]

One final point I was going to mention; this building is designed by Studio Gang of 'Aqua Chicago' fame.


Here is a photo showing the exterior intricacies of Aqua:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6...yscrapers4.jpg


Hence we may be in for a treat if this building is realized.

[Zassk]

I think they're beautiful.

[Conrad]

Like it!

[giallo]

Very very nice.

I would love a show-piece like this on the water. As available lots on the peninsula dwindle to barely a trickle, the time is now to let a few bold designs poke through the architectural conformity of downtown.

[Locked In]

Beautiful towers! Would go nicely with Aquilini's proposals for next to the arena. At least one of the towers is rendered at just over 50 stories by my count though - very unlikely to get that height in those locations. The NEFC plan calls for lower heights towards the water... too bad.

[mr.x]

What a complete jaw dropper. In terms of iconic skyscrapers, False Creek really lacks them -- but these "twin towers" really fill in the void.

[Whalleyboy]

wow i love them. great location for two towers that will really stick out and be iconic

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

wow i love them. great location for two towers that will really stick out and be iconic

...icing on the cake if it comes with a neat lighting feature.

[jlousa]

Unfortunately these are not a real proposal, they were nothing more then a design exercise and aren't envisioned to go ahead. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Do expect something nice, but nowhere near 53 stories.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Unfortunately these are not a real proposal, they were nothing more then a design exercise and aren't envisioned to go ahead. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Do expect something nice, but nowhere near 53 stories.

It's always too good to be true!

[djh]

I think this concept and the reaction here illustrates something more fundamental. The towers look great, the design and aesthetics have been met with pretty positive responses. Why, then, aren't developers making towers look like this? High development cost? Fear of radical different design? Unaffordable end units to the public?

The other thought I had was: How come nobody here is saying that this "ruins" the skyline because it stands out so much? Personally, even though I think they look great, at that height they would work much better at the Shangri-La and Vancouver's Turn locations, forming a centre to the city's evolving skyline. This location, IMO, would be a perfect place to have this same design at about half the height, so it's interest is in the form rather than the height.

Hopefully the design lessons from this can be implemented in the future developments along the NEFC shoreline - but at staggered heights that rise up from the shore.

[Whalleyboy]

i saw the thought of lighting being added to them and got all happy then just read the part of them not being real...i need a drink now =(

[trofirhen]

Why couldn't 1021 W Hastings be tall, like that?