Vancouver House (1400 Howe St) | 151.5m | 52Fl | Completed

[Marshal]

Calm, calm, calm. It's a polemic, which allows opinions a voice from the extremities. I'm sure he doesn't think so, but that's irrelevant.

Putting forth ideas and issues like these requires a level of focus in order to advance a host of underlying conditions that remain implicit (prejudices, even if academic ones). If one picks at the details, the position can be deconstructed, destabilized, or destroyed. It's not that hard.

But, there is value in being polemical. It sets the boundaries of our discourse. It informs itself and its opposites. Sadly, it will fall prey to zealotry, but that can't be helped with most positions. It will not directly find any application in real world policy or regulation. Besides, there is nothing new here either. The author's argument will drive others who can create real difficulties. That's just process.

To critique the article I can only say his position is rather simplistic and intellectually unrefined, especially for someone teaching at a university level.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

A pretty stinging takedown of Bjarke Ingels which no doubt will have some forumers apopleptic. It will be interesting to see how well the building handles rain etc.

Yeah, I'm sure he's crying in his sleep. I guess one day the author will become famous and worry about having his boring work critiqued.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Marshal

To critique the article I can only say his position is rather simplistic and intellectually unrefined, especially for someone teaching at a university level.

"Intellectually unrefined" is a good way of putting it.



(link)

Almost as simple and cheap as it gets. Perhaps they'd be more beautiful with only four sides?

[rofina]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Of interest:

Why do we make everything so complicated? We need radical simplicity right now.
https://www.treehugger.com/green-archite...e-need-radical-simplicity-right-now.html

People like this, and most environment loving professionals need to deeply reassess what it is they have been taught.

Its simple - high rise building is not sustainable, period. There is nothing green about concrete towers, full of glass.

There is nothing green about the concrete alone, its an environmental disaster.

Sure - we can make improvements around the edges, but lets admit to what this is; beating around the bush.

Cities and infinite density are not the saving grace that people want it to be, in fact its more likely that Cities will prove to be an absolute disaster of an idea as climate begins to change more dramatically over the next 100 years.

[Vin]

Truth is simple short boxy woodframe apartments leak more than anything else in this City. Many are simply energy-inefficient structures, as compared to bulky concrete/glass buildings and towers that actually have more interior spacing and walls not exposed to the elements, even though some of the concrete structures can have more creative exteriors. The most inefficient ones are the single family homes, with the most amount of walls and roof surfaces exposed to the elements.

Take that, Lloyd. You shouldn't be teaching at Ryerson.

[dleung]

I also don't buy into the theory that there's any virtue in low rise dumb boxes. The ultimate goal is to eliminate sprawl by offering attractive alternatives to single family homes. So yes, full height windows, daylight, balconies, views etc are part of what is offered in exchange for the limitations of shared land

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

not to mention the fact we are running out of sand and it is a problem. we need sand for everything these days. i wonder what we will do when that time comes.

[bb1510]

Did anyone here move in or know of someone who moved in? I'm curious to hear what the in suite comfort is like especially the suite cooling system.

Apparently, the units don't use forced air AC but rather the perimeter Jaga systems that were installed in Telus Garden in order to meet LEED platinum standards. The only active air system within the suites is the HRV.

According to my friend from Westbank, the system 'works' albeit slower than a forced air system and you won't experience those sort of 'whooshing cool' feelings from a traditional system for those who want rapid cooling.

I'm curious as to see how it fares during the summer months especially given how open the suites are on the higher levels


Also, quite a number of the estate units did not complete and a few were willing to assign them at a significant loss about a month ago (below 2014 contract prices) as the loss would still be less than losing the deposit. Some purchasers only paid 10% (friends and family or purchasers from realtors who connections with westbank) while others paid the normal 25% amount. There were some high floor 02 units willing to entertain a 3.1m price for a 2100 sq ft unit with all rooms facing English Bay; contract I believe was 3.35m in 2014.

For those who are curious, closing prices have started appearing on BC Assessment

[jollyburger]

Sorry no photos but they added the wood slat bench seating on the lip around the Fresh Street north entrance. It actually now seems like there was some kind of idea behind the design of the entrance.

[NewfBC]

Whoops!

Van with Alberta licence plates crashes into downtown Vancouver store on Canada Day



https://globalnews.ca/news/7129196/van-c...8heskCd1qsxzI97qg2DVTglC0k7J5LuyIiPXvt9w

Ron.

[whatnext]

Damn Albertans!

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

https://globalnews.ca/news/7129196/van-c...8heskCd1qsxzI97qg2DVTglC0k7J5LuyIiPXvt9w

how does one even crash like that? that takes some real effort on dry, clear days especially...

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Sorry no photos but they added the wood slat bench seating on the lip around the Fresh Street north entrance. It actually now seems like there was some kind of idea behind the design of the entrance.

See above for photo.

Ron.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

how does one even crash like that? that takes some real effort on dry, clear days especially...

I wonder if it could have something to do with the bike lane?

[jollyburger]

Most of the damage is on the front left so I think the most plausible scenario was speeding down the onramp trying to turn left, losing it and ploughed into the building and then the car spinned mid-air into the building.

It was also a rental car with Alberta plates at 3:30 in the morning. Also surprised he managed to miss those two poles.

I'm surprised the city doesn't have more bollards at higher speed intersections to protect pedestrians. Or sticking concrete dividers behind all those street parking patios. While it's okay on a side street it seems stupid not to consider the fact that a car can get cut off and possible crash into one of the patios.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

it sounds almost as if they were driving from police. the 3 of them bolted after the crash, and police arrested them shortly after. (a blurb on the news tonight).

[GeeCee]

I think this corner of the building might actually be cursed.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

it sounds almost as if they were driving from police. the 3 of them bolted after the crash, and police arrested them shortly after. (a blurb on the news tonight).

Yeah the firefighter said it was a police incident so they were evading cops probably at the time.

[Vin]

My goodness. I was just at London Drugs and Frest St Market that evening just before closing.

Sad to see the corner damaged.

[mcminsen]

Here's my guess. They went barreling down Howe Street and lost control at Pacific, sideswiped the traffic light pole (see damaged pole below, the one with the two orange cones beside it), straddled the short concrete wall (the one that doesn't have the new wood on it) causing damage to both sides of it and then launched into the air to damage the overhang and the windows to the right of the entrance.




July 1 '20, my pics