Mass timber terraced tower concept envisioned for North Vancouver (RENDERINGS)

Sep 17 2020, 6:01 pm

An architecturally unique green building concept is envisioned for a site at the southeast corner of the intersection of Lonsdale Avenue and 14th Street East in North Vancouver City’s Central Lonsdale district.

Few details are available at this time as the project, named “Forest Hill,” is currently in its preliminary stages, but the concept’s context is designed to replace several single-storey commercial buildings at the prominent corner — located immediately north of Onni Group’s recently built CentreView with Whole Foods as its anchor retailer, and just east of North Vancouver Public Library.

The new concept has approximately 20 storeys, with residential within the upper levels and retail space on the ground level. The terraced steps on the southern facade of the tower double as private, landscaped patios for the residential units.

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

This forest topographical-inspired design makes its ascent from the podium, which covers the southern half of the envisioned development site.

It is designed as a modular mass timber structure, which provides not only environmental benefits but also a faster and lower cost construction process compared to conventional building methods.

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

“The main objective for this project is to provide a solution to a complex, multi-dimensional design question: How can urban living enhance the natural contextual qualities of North Vancouver while maximizing economical, environmental, aesthetic, and public benefits?” reads the design rationale by Vancouver-based international design firm Alterativ Design Lab.

“The unique aesthetics of the project adds an iconic building to the heart of Central Lonsdale… An appropriate response to its context, the building blurs the edges of natural and built. The residents of this building will enjoy the naturalistic timber, the greenery, the maximized desired views, and optimized solar gain.”

A small plaza is also created by stepping back a portion of the podium.

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

forest hill north vancouver

Forest Hill concept in North Vancouver. (Alterativ Design Lab)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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