Dublin-based Urban Agency Architects have unveiled Vancouver Forest — their design for a high-rise, passive house apartment tower in Marpole, near Cambie and Marine Drive. And yes, it will be constructed with bamboo.
The project is still in the pre-application stage, but is expected to be presented to the city in 2022. It calls for 200 residential units, and 43,000 square feet of community amenity space. No official height was released, but the building appears to be 19 storeys.
The design for Vancouver Forest is influenced by the coastal forests of B.C., and will incorporate bamboo cross-laminated timber and cladding. Only the elevator shaft and fire escape stairwells will be constructed with concrete to comply with the building code.
Renderings: Vancouver Forest by Urban Agency
Urban Agency architects states that bamboo has a similar tensile strength to steel, and is much more sustainable than timber — growing up to 15 times faster. It is also much lighter and easier to transport.
The tower homes will have access to large terrace patios, thanks to the building’s stepped form on the south side — and the patios will be extensively landscaped with plants and trees. The façade will alternate glazing and cladding in equal proportions, to meet Passive House standards, and the tower’s curved corners are meant to help soften its appearance.
The development site at Lord Street and West 65th Avenue is steps from the Marine Drive Canada Line station and is surrounded by recent residential tower developments at Cambie and Marine Drive.
