Architecture

Stacked glass cubes form eye-catching Vancouver skyscraper

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The recently completed Deloitte Summit takes the form of a collection of stacked glass cubes in Vancouver, Canada
Ema Peter
The recently completed Deloitte Summit takes the form of a collection of stacked glass cubes in Vancouver, Canada
Ema Peter
The Deloitte Summit rises to a maximum height of 90 m (295 ft)
OSO
The Deloitte Summit's cuboid glass volumes are situated on top of each other at different angles, creating terrace areas and overhangs
OSO
The Deloitte Summit's interior measures 34,850 sq m (375,00 sq ft), which is spread over 24 floors
Ema Peter
The Deloitte Summit's overall design is intended to reduce the number of structural columns and offer flexible office space inside
Ema Peter
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Taking the form of a collection stacked glass cubes, Deloitte Summit, by OSO, offers a definite change from the rather humdrum rectangular towers that dot major cities worldwide. The eye-catching skyscraper rises to a height of 90 m (295 ft) in Vancouver, Canada, and its unusual form creates flexible office space and multiple outdoor terrace areas.

Designed in collaboration with Merrick Architecture, with landscaping by HAPA Collective, Deloitte Summit's unusual shape looks almost haphazard but follows a careful design to create an open and flexible interior. Structurally, the glass cubes are supported by a steel frame and are centered around a concrete core hosting the elevator and staircases.

"While the tower's shape and materiality create an impression of randomness, the underlying structure is based on simple rules," explained OSO. "The building's main element is the four-story high glass cube. Six of these cubes are grouped together around a central shaft to complete a floor. Overall, there are three main groupings (three typical floors) of which two are repeated. The glazing and paneling systems of the facade are based on a single module, and the structural system repeats itself throughout the building.

"The bulk of the building is held by a central elevator core and six 'mega-columns' that penetrate through all floors. There are no other columns in the center of the floorplate, only trusses along the facade that transfer perimeter loads from one cantilevering volume to another. Being mostly unobstructed by columns, the interiors feel wide and open. From the outside, the weightless quality of the building is enhanced by the lack of interlocking details where the boxes stack, creating and illusion of sliding volumes."

The Deloitte Summit's cuboid glass volumes are situated on top of each other at different angles, creating terrace areas and overhangs
OSO

Deloitte Summit's interior measures 34,850 sq m (375,00 sq ft), which is spread over 24 floors and mostly given over to office space.

Though you can't really see any yet in the photos, significant greenery is planted on the multiple exterior terraces and will continue to grow over time. The skyscraper also boasts Vancouver's largest rooftop terrace, which has yet more greenery while offering excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

The project was commissioned by Canadian developer Westbank, which is the firm behind Kengo Kuma's upcoming Park Habitat. OSO and Westbank have also joined forces for another unusual project that's currently underway and will involve installing a Boeing 747 jet between two skyscrapers in Seattle.

Sources: OSO, Westbank

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3 comments
vince
Looks a bit like a Lego sckyscraper.
BlueOak
Is chaos the right look for a consulting company that claims to bring order to other companies? ;-)

Good thing Vancouver is in an earthquake-free zone with all those overhangs… oh wait.
ljaques
Look, Mom, big legos! I'd hate to be the insurer, as BlueOak pointed out.