April 26, 2018

Our Looming Tower – 5

Vancouver House yesterday, from Granville and Beach


 
 
 

Posted in

Support

If you love this region and have a view to its future please subscribe, donate, or become a Patron.

Share on

Comments

  1. This building is spectacular in my opinion, and elevates (no pun intended) the quality and image of Vancouver’s rather homogeneous architecture. Your choice of the term “Looming” while technically accurate, also carries a negative connotation. Do you not like this tower? I’m simply curious.

    1. Post
      Author

      Descriptive, not judgmental. Turning out better than I expected so far. Another test will be the success of the pavilions edging the bridge.
      Sent from my iPhone
      >

  2. Agreed that the word “looming” does have a negative connotation – but it does describe the overhanging geometry of the tower
    – like someone looking over your shoulder.

  3. That is a lot of mass hanging out into space above the foundations. You can do miracles with cantilevers, but this one probably gave the structural engineers (Glotman Simpson?) palpitations with respect to structural and seismic countermeasures. It would be interesting to hear the inside story here, if anyone has any info. Did the designers shift the core elevator mass to the opposite side of the cantilever to counterbalance it?

      1. Very impressive! Thanks, Guest.
        As I thought, the solid mass of the elevator core is shifted to oppose the cantilever. In addition there are post-tensioned floors (cables pulled taut within the concrete slabs) and post-tensioned vertical sheer walls with high-strength concrete and ductile steel over every opening in the walls. Still, the sway in a moderately strong earthquake will probably knock you off your feet in the upper storeys.

Subscribe to Viewpoint Vancouver

Get breaking news and fresh views, direct to your inbox.

Join 7,284 other subscribers

Show your Support

Check our Patreon page for stylish coffee mugs, private city tours, and more – or, make a one-time or recurring donation. Thank you for helping shape this place we love.

Popular Articles

See All

All Articles