It's very clear that there's really only one idea - that is the staggered/twisting surface of that one side. My personal taste would be for a top that responded better to that typology, though I can see the intent was to make the contrast more pure. In this case though, I wish it was more slender... the floorplates look about 20% too large in its context, thereby shrinking the perceived scale of neighbouring buildings, making the skyline seem smaller.
The shards around the ramps look like a complete afterthought, and have nothing to do with the scheme. I rather each wedge be developed separately, with a different language, while maintaining a similar massing to each other (15 stories is more appropriate IMO). The buildings should have zero setbacks from the bridge ramps, integrated with a landscape (or elevator)that provides pedestrian connections from the bridge down to Beach Crescent or Pacific.
I'd be interested in seeing what the south side of the tower looks like.
There are two main angles that this tower will be viewed from (at least by drivers):
- driving north over Granville Bridge (where the lower part is screened by the Discovery condo tower, so I hope the top looks interesting)
- driving south on Howe as you curve onto the Granville Bridge on-ramp (as shown in the render).
The first of these views is the one considered the "Granville Gateway" under the view cone review.
Hopefully it be designed to be viewed from the south, unlike the other "gateway" tower - Burrard Gateway - whose taller tower has its back corner addressing the view from Burrard Bridge.
Hoarding has come off the base of the Victoria Block at Homer & Pender. I didn't realize there was even work being done here.
I thought it was just boarded up indefinitely.
from my flickr
Last edited by dreambrother808; Jan 20, 2012 at 10:10 PM.
The entire proposal looks like something they would propose in Copenhagen or in Helsinki. It'd be interesting to see something with a complete different design. I agree with dleung, I find the shards a bit too "random," but I'd wait for everything before I make an informed opinion.
It's very clear that there's really only one idea - that is the staggered/twisting surface of that one side
I guess by "staggered", you means something which could be looking like this:
(credit wikipedia)
The twisting of the surface is probably a welcome addition to something otherwise looking too angular.
The idea to have green roofs meeting the viaduct ramps is a good one deserving elaboration.
LOVE the water aspect, and the connecting pedestrian walkways and areas. But those crazy looking, tilting towers are another story. Reminds me of a boat trip I once took to Norway during a storm ... everything was tilting ...
Love the concept, hate the tilting towers.
If you look closely, he also maintained the viaducts in their entirety... Maybe built the Malkin connector underground?
__________________
"you're eating chicken periods" - Vid
"I love eggs, especially the ones with runny yolks" - Me
"EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, you're disgusting!" - Vid
Prev
thereby proving that everything lasts forever on the internet. 
Linear Mode
