Archetech Issue 35 2018 | Page 32

the design rationale for the new ‘exchange’ tower is entirely derived from its surrounding context and environment; in particular the existing old stock exchange building hArry gugger stuDio Photos : © haRRy guggeR studio; © cRedit suisse the exchange The new tower blends in an establishes a dialogue with this prominent original building in order to create an overall composition that looks at once to Vancouver’s future without obscuring its past. suRRounded by wateR and framed by mountains, the unique urban cityscape of Vancouver’s downtown is defined by its spectacular natural setting. ‘The Exchange’ is located in the heart of this downtown area. Selected by the city officials as one of a few new, high density, office developments in the city’s central business district this new tower will bring valuable diversity, revenue and jobs to the neighborhood and to the city as a whole. The design rationale for the new ‘Exchange’ tower is entirely derived from its surrounding context and environment; in particular the existing Old Stock Exchange building, which is to be preserved and rehabilitated on the site. This refined, handsome and elegant building has facades of carefully composed vertical pilasters that are designed both to best accentuate its height and at the same time ground the building within the streetscape of the city. By both breaking up the mass of the tower over its entire height and by recessing its bulk from the perimeter of the site above the Old Stock Exchange, the new building allows the existing structure to fully define the streetscape, retaining and confirming its proud position within the heart of Vancouver’s downtown. As the form of the tower retreats lower down to better define the original form and independence of the Old Stock Exchange, it consequently grows higher above to maximize its potential on the site. Here at the upper, more valuable floor levels, the tower steps out in two directions to provide larger, more efficient floor plates. These steps consequently create terraces on the tower’s