The Vancouver Model of Density_Point Tower Typology

Broughton & West Hastings: While Coal Harbour represents a model for Vancouver’s high density living, the amount of surface parking surrounding these towers reveals further opportunities for interventions of architectural intensity.

In a bit of a synthesis of what this blog has covered over the past few months, I offer a view of what Vancouver model of density currently means for the Downtown peninsula. The replication of residential towers with similar floor-space ratios, design details, and colour palette in a planning-led initiative has led to the proliferation of a point tower podium typology which has furthered densification but has also produced a monotonous consistency in the built architectural form which now characterizes downtown Vancouver. So successfully so, that the Dubai Marina has now successfully created a new False Creek which has arguably superseded its originator in innovation, design, and usage: (Replicating Vancouver in Dubai) In Vancouver, the design of large scale mixed-use developments is being administered under the guidelines of City Hall in close partnership with the private sector of residential developers. The result is a homogenous typology that is being repeated throughout the city with little consideration given to site or cultural context. In essence, these projects are being plugged into the city rather than being connected to it. New master planned developments such as Concord Pacific Place, Coal Harbour, and smaller block developments such as Woodwards are developing entire city blocks, in a manner which consumes space rather than generates it.

The point tower typology’s massing, materials, choice of program and location of program are dictated by the urban planning zoning and development by-laws. The design of these new developments is also influenced by marketing and real estate specialists. These two forces have created a standardized and replicable building product that has become ubiquitous in new downtown Vancouver neighbourhoods.

Influences of Hong Kong and New Urbanism

01_The Tall and thin tower was imported from Hong Kong.

02_The four-storey eyes-on-the-street podium in the downtown core has been reinterpreted in response to New Urbanist tendencies to define street walls with front porches.

03_The nicely scaled podium, at street level, should make the tall, thin tower almost disappear from one’s perception.

View obsession

01_Downtown Vancouver is on a peninsula surrounded by ocean and mountains.

02_Slim towers are more expensive to build than bulky towers. However, purchasers bear for the extra costs in construction.