Vancouver’s West End is one of North America’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, yet one of the most livable communities. Harwood consists of two towers on a shared podium. Its 549 residential rental units include 20% at below-market rates, addressing the diverse local community.
Affordable units are integrated with and indistinguishable from market rental units. The amenity space is equally shared including spaces for co-working, networking and socializing.
The West End was developed in the 1970s with tall residential towers on relatively small urban blocks. The resulting slender towers allow light to penetrate to street level and enable lush foliage at grade. Massing of the new towers respects this context, maintaining existing private views.
The architectural expression was inspired by the white-headed woodpecker – a local, endangered species due to forest fires, logging and urbanization. Colour graduates from a dark base to a light top. Texture on balcony fronts and slab edges is striated and triangulated to reflect light, akin to feathers.
Harwood revitalizes a local residential typology with a response that is environmentally and socially sustainable.
