Alberni by Kengo Kuma (1550 Alberni) | 133m | 42Fl | Completed

[Klazu]

From back in June.

[Zepfancouver]

This tower is looks better and better. Mirrored columns! That couryard is going to look great.
If that's a real boulder embedded in that plexi/acrylic glass (Public Art) I'd be impressed.
I wonder if the backside of the rock is cut open to expose its insides (perhaps multi-colored crystals) to the courtyard, my selfie stick is not long enough to see

• Video Link

[officedweller]

Thanks!
Wow - look at all those custom angled brackets for the slats in the sculpture.
I guess the mirrored columns are to help the columns become invisible. Not sure if that will work.
Hopefully the supports for the geode(?) rock are shatter-proof. If it's cut open, would it fill with water (bird bath)?

[jollyburger]

The landscape plans seemed like it had 3 rocks together in formation. Didn't see any giant boulders from the excavation photos so I assume this was brought in from somewhere else.

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

...I assume this was brought in from somewhere else.

When I first saw the art display, I said "I know that rock" (crazy thing to say, recognizing a rock).
I think it was mcminsen who took a photo of a boulder on a downtown site, not in the pit but at street level next to the sidewalk.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

When I first saw the art display, I said "I know that rock" (crazy thing to say, recognizing a rock).
I think it was mcminsen who took a photo of a boulder on a downtown site, not in the pit but at street level next to the sidewalk.

Deloitte Summit



https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9291782&postcount=807

[Zepfancouver]

That's the one! I was remembering. We will need more forensic and an I witness to identify in a (police) line up

10 minutes later..Not a match

[jollyburger]

Older drone footage of the tower

• Video Link

[Coldrsx]

Absolutely stunning.

[SpongeG]

kengo kuma lands in vancouver to visit his first residential tower in north america



FROM TOKYO TO VANCOUVER


For the first time since the project’s commencement, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma travels to Vancouver to tour his Alberni Tower. The visit bookends the construction of the Westbank-developed project, as it is slated to complete just next month. Soon it will become Kuma’s first-ever residential tower in North America, followed by his Aman residences which have been announced for Miami this past summer.



Now, the Alberni Tower‘s carved-out volume is nearing completion and its fluid interior details are taking shape. On the ground level, the studio’s signature interlocking lattice, or ‘kigumi’ structure, can be glimpsed from the street through the building’s sweeping facade.

...

https://www.designboom.com/architecture/...st-residential-north-america-11-09-2022/

[Zepfancouver]

Today, the site was very busy. I'm more and more impressed with every new progress.

Bamboo grove (The panorama is a little rough, 2 image grab from video)


https://imgur.com/T2qf0LS

• Video Link

[officedweller]

From Lawrence Black twitter Nov 29th:


https://twitter.com/LawrenceBlackTV


https://twitter.com/LawrenceBlackTV

[officedweller]

From Lawrence Black twitter Jan 31:


https://twitter.com/LawrenceBlackTV


https://twitter.com/LawrenceBlackTV

[dleung]

Quite disappointed in the amount of iron in the glass at grade, and the swapping out of the wood-coloured soffits, which would've made the tower much warmer and less sterile than now

[Florilege]

I totally agree.

The tower's shape and outer panels forms and colors do well to mimic a tree trunk; but the lack of orange/brown colors on the eaten away parts truly tone down that whole metaphor. Such a shame.

[jollyburger]

I'm fine with the metallic look considering what the wood soffits would end up looking in 10 years.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Florilege

I totally agree.

The tower's shape and outer panels forms and colors do well to mimic a tree trunk; but the lack of orange/brown colors on the eaten away parts truly tone down that whole metaphor. Such a shame.

Your interpretation of the design is interesting, but it isn't what the architect or developer have referenced as the intent, or at least, not in the design rationale accompanying the rezoning. At the Urban Design Panel it was described as a sculptural form, and does reference an intent for 'warm wood' on the balconies. "The articulation creates an ephemeral, temporal quality to the façade on one hand, contrasting with the warm wood expression of the balconies. This has been articulated in a shingle format, referencing a certain vernacular in this region that is very practical in terms of drainage, and has a way of reflecting light that is different from the way a flat panel will reflect light."

Apparently the use of wood in the screen in the atrium wasn't possible under building code, so it's metal. I wonder if that's the case on the balconies too.

[jollyburger]

Actually looking at Zepf's old photos it look like there's a grain? It was always going to be a "fake" wood metal panel it seems.



https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9291841&postcount=577

Sypkens says the balconies, which range from 100 to 300 square feet, are an extension of the interiors as the minimal glazing makes the two spaces appear continuous. The material for the balconies is engineered wood and metal, imprinted with a wood design, chosen for their durability.
“If we use real wood on the outside, a year later [it] appears different: the colour goes. It’s not just about how the building looks when you take the photographs after it’s completed. It’s about how it looks over time. We have an engineered wood deck that ensures its durability. The soffit, where the building is scooped out, appears to be wood, but that’s actually metal,” he says. “It’s not so much about material as it is about materiality. It may not be real wood, but it certainly evokes wood.”

https://vancouversun.com/homes/westcoast...roject-profile-the-scoop-on-1550-alberni

[officedweller]

In some of the older pics the soffits look like light coloured wood.
Could just be the flat light on the north side (and a question of being too subtle with colour).
I doubt it's real wood veneer so it shouldn't have grayed.

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Aug.28 '22, my pics

[giallo]

Nearing completion.