Architectural Response

The design of 1550 Alberni Street is shaped by its environment. The 42-storey tower is carved by two emphatic scoops that form deep balconies furnished in wood. In both instances, the carvings create semi-enclosures that strengthen their relations to the street and to the views – to its urban and geographic context.

Because of the way the otherwise orthogonal tower is carved, its silhouette constantly changes, creating illusionary profiles of arching cantilevers. The reality is far more structured as the carved deductions are diagonally symmetrical, the lower portion helping to counterbalance the hanging volume above.

The tower meets the ground with two intersecting domes that embrace Alberni and Cardero Street. Under the arching structures, an extensive moss garden defines the entrance and flows to the swimming pool above. In keeping with Japanese spatial traditions, the emphasis is on the atmosphere rather than the object: without drawing attention to a particular point laden with meaning, the void elicits a serene visceral experience that could be shared by all.

1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning20

Shaped by the Environment

21

Organic Enclosures and Cascading Fields

1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning22

Formal Strategy

Deductive optimization

Maximum Extrusion Carved deductions Contrasting composition

23

Servicing

Parking Entry Alberni St

Robson St

Dual orientation Garden lobby/back serving Elevated gardens

Urban Strategy

Carve and connect to surroundings

1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning24

10F10F

22F22F

40F40F

CONSISTENT FLOOR AREAS

Consistent Floor Areas

Carved forms create the balanced appearance of asymmetry within rational geometry.

40F 40F

22F 22F

10F 10F

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JAPANESE GARDENS

absense of objects / presense of space

Japanese Gardens

The absence of objects / presence of space

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WOOD JOINERY

construction of environments

GC Prostho Museum Starbucks Dazaifu

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

Wood Joinery and Land Art

GC Prostho MuseumKengo Kuma Architects and Associates

RoofAndy Goldsworthy

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 3

WOOD JOINERY

construction of environments

GC Prostho Museum Starbucks Dazaifu

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 6

LAND ART

crafting the organic

Andy Goldsworthy; Oak Room, 2009 Andy Goldsworthy; Roof, 2005

1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning38

Phenomenal Materiality

Soft, transient light

39

Architectural Façade

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 8

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

ephemeral facade / semi-enclosed spaces

FRAC Marseille Great (Bamboo) Wall

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9

FACADE MATERIALITY

subtle distortion and gentle disappearance

polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9

FACADE MATERIALITY

subtle distortion and gentle disappearance

polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006

FRAC Marseille Great Bamboo Wall

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 2 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 2 8

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

ephemeral facade / semi-enclosed spaces

FRAC Marseille Great (Bamboo) Wall

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9

FACADE MATERIALITY

subtle distortion and gentle disappearance

polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006

1 5 5 0 A L B E R N I S T R E E T - S C H E M AT I C D E S I G N - W O R K S H O P 1 6 t h J u n e 2 0 1 5 - K e n g o K u m a & A s s o c i a t e s - p 9

FACADE MATERIALITY

subtle distortion and gentle disappearance

polished anodized aluminum Hoshinosato Annex, 2006

1550 Alberni Street | Application for Rezoning40

Ephemeral Façade

Façade MaterialitySubtle distortion and gentle disappearance

Façade EffectEphemeral qualities with minimal details