Vancouver's first supertall skyscraper informed by ancient glass sea sponge reefs

Local studio Henriquez Partners Architects has designed a trio of skyscrapers in Vancouver, Canada, including the city's first supertall skyscraper.

Part of the larger Georgia & Abbott development for developer Holborn Group, the trio of skyscrapers set to be built in the middle of the dense Canadian city will be anchored by a 1,033-foot-tall (314 metre-tall) skyscraper.

When completed, 595 West Georgia Street will be the first supertall skyscraper in the city – defined as a building exceeding 984 feet (300 metres).

It will be wrapped in a steel exoskeleton covered in white GFRP panelling, with highly translucent spans of glass covering the entirety.

According to the studio, the design was based on the appearance of sea sponge reefs, with the studio hoping the skyscraper will play a positive role in the city's environment – as sea sponges do in the ocean.

"The architectural expression of the project tells a story that is unique to British Columbia and inspired by rare and ancient glass sea sponge reefs – living structures found off the BC coast that demonstrate strength and adaptability," said Henriquez Partners Architects.

"This natural metaphor is expressed not only in distinct silhouettes and the sculptural form of its tallest tower, but in their environmental performance towards a net-zero carbon operation."

At its top, the supertall skyscraper will be capped with a massive atrium holding a tree-filled public element, accessible by the public.

The other two skyscrapers in the complex, which will rise from the same podium, will be 783 feet (237 metres) and 889 feet tall (271 metres).

The contemporary podium will incorporate the facade of the 1926 Randall Building, following Vancouver's heritage preservation principles.

Restaurants, cafe and other retail elements will be accessible from a plaza set between the skyscrapers, with a separate rounded structure holding hospitality elements. Renderings show this volume painted with a mural that appears to reference First Nations art motifs.

In line with social housing requirements, the development includes a third building, further east. According to the studio, this 402-foot-tall (122 metres tall) structure will be contain social housing along with a gallery dedicated to First Nations art.

Its eight storey podium will have a brick-clad facade, while the setback 30-storey tower above will be more contemporary

.

The studio said that the project was meant to bring further density into the expensive metropolis.

"This transformative project will serve as a major economic catalyst for downtown Vancouver, creating thousands of construction and permanent jobs," said the studio.

"By bringing a critical mass of residents, workers, and visitors into the core, the project will contribute to the creation of a more vibrant, welcoming, and safer downtown."

Georgia & Abbott recently received "unanimous" support from the powerful Urban Design Panel of the City of Vancouver, it will move to approvals from Public Hearing and City Council Approval this summer.

The project could be read as a response to current developments in Toronto, which include the country's tallest building, nearing completion, and other in-progress supertall skyscrapers such as one by Foster + Partners.

The images are courtesy of Henriquez Partners Architects/Holburn Group. 

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