VIEW FROM CAMBIE STREET Site Access, Slopes, and Programming The building separation between the north and south building is strategically placed, adjacent to the City s mini park along Cambie, as an extension into the development. To further activate the space, we placed the two buildings entry ways and amenity outdoor spaces within the building separation for more efficient use of the open space. In line with this open space is the parking entry. Due to the natural grading of the site, the parkade entry is located one floor below the outdoor amenity space, providing separation for the two uses. Along 31 st Avenue and the south end of the walkway are twostorey townhomes that gradually step down to respond to the grade changes. Along the lane in the north building are smaller units with stepped patios, planters, and landscaping that work well with the challenges of the grade changes. Shared amenity space is located in the south building along the lane with the outdoor space between the two buildings. One-bedroom units at grade are situated near Cambie, close to the building entries. All ground-level units will have their own outdoor landscaped patios and entry canopies to provide a smooth transition between the street and building. Building Section and Height The two proposed buildings are six storeys high along Cambie, following guidelines 4.3.2 and 5.1.2, where an 8' setback is introduced above the fourth storey. One exception is the fifth floor which is not stepping as an attempt to simplify the massing of the building along the Cambie side. The fourth floor setback is also provided along the sides of the building to provide a clear four-storey expression along Cambie and the side streets, which is consistent with the QE Empire project next to our site. Along the lane, both buildings are set back 8' at the third and fifth levels. Furthermore, to relate to the neighboring twostorey single family homes at the rear, the units at grade will have projected balconies towards the lane providing more variation in building height, and a stronger two to three storey building mass to help activate the land and provide a scale transition as per guideline 5.1.3. Architectural Expression Due to the unique shape and slopes of the site, we rotated the south building away for the north building so that the south building does not face the busy Cambie street while also providing more separation between the two buildings for outdoor amenity space. The resulting two buildings are tied together by materials and common architectural features. The north building, being rectangular in shape, has a strong horizontal reading from balcony and slab edge projections, in combination with clearly defined boxes that are formed by enclosed balconies or two-storey townhomes. The south building with a much smaller site, triangular in shape, is more vertical in its character. Due to the setback requirements, these vertical elements terminate or cut back at certain floors, naturally creating a pyramid-like form. Both buildings use glass, brick, and stone on the exterior. Natural gray stone is used at the ground level and the second level the base of the building where the building is closest to the streets, and where pedestrians can see the finer grained material at eye-level. A neutral yet bright beige brick accents vertical building lines. Blue-tinted vision glass is used at living areas and bedrooms, with blue-gray spandrel glass for energy conservation. The prominent fourth and fifth storey balconies at the corner of Cambie and 30 th are highlighted with a composite wood soffit. Painted concrete planters, open to light above, also highlight balconies throughout both buildings. The entryways of the south and north buildings at Cambie and 31 st are designed in a similar manner with large balcony projections on several floors that work as a design element that ties the two projects together, while marking the two most visible corners of the project to the public. 6
VIEW FROM 31 ST AVENUE 7
SOUTHWEST VIEW 8
VIEW FROM 30 TH AVENUE 9
NORTHEAST VIEW 10