explore kengo kuma's 'alberni' tower in vancouver ahead of upcoming completion

the carved-out ‘alberni’ tower approaches completion

In 2016, designboom met with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to discuss Alberni, the 43-story tower planned for Vancouver, Canada. Developed by Westbank, Alberni will stand as the only high rise residential building Kengo Kuma has designed in North America. A collection of visualizations, sketches, and physical models have been shared alongside the announcement of the tower’s scheduled completion in December, 2022.

The team at Westbank notes: ‘We feel this is some of the highest quality work we have done to date — we went to great lengths to maintain the integrity of the design and ensure that the design philosophy of layering was respected, all the way through the development and construction of the project. This effort is apparent in the finished product.’

Tomorrow, October 27th 2022, the iconic Japanese architect will visit the site for the first time since the project’s commencement in 2016.

image © Hayes Davidson | video © Westbank

kengo kuma takes to vancouver

The distinct form that Kengo Kuma developed for Alberni results in a constantly changing silhouette, which takes on different appearances from different vantage points. The structure’s carved form has taken shape, with its two emphatic ‘scoops’ creating deep balconies with wooden soffits and decks. In both instances, the carvings create semi-enclosures that establish connections with the tower’s surroundings.

Located at the intersection of Alberni and Cardero Street, close to Vancouver Harbour, the building meets the ground with two intersecting domed vaults that embrace the public realm. Under these arching structures, an extensive moss and bamboo garden defines the sheltered entrance and flows up to the swimming pool above.

image © Ema Peter, courtesy Westbank

inside the development

Developed by Westbank, the development company behind BIG’s Vancouver House and King Toronto projects, Alberni will include intricate design details in woodwork throughout. The project’s amenities include a Kengo Kuma-designed Fazioli piano as well as a Japanese Kaiseki restaurant, inspired by the two Michelin-starred Kaiseki restaurant, Waketokuyama. See designboom’s previous coverage of the project here, which includes an in-depth interview with Kengo Kuma.

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

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sketch © KKAA

sketch © KKAA

image © Ed White Photographics

image © Ed White Photographics

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © KKAA

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

image © Hayes Davidson

project info:

project title: Alberni

lead design architect: Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) | @kkaa_official
location: Vancouver, Canada

developer: Westbank | @westbankcorp

visualizations: © Hayes Davidson

construction photography: © Ema Peter, courtesy Westbank

executive architect: Merrick Architecture
landscape architect: PFS Studio
engineer: Glotman Simpson Engineers

KKAA project team: Balazs Bognar, Michael Sypkens*, Esteban Ochogavia*, Richard David Nelson, Nicolas Cazali, Jagoda Krawcyk, Yasemin Sahiner, Kevin Clement, Nicolas Guichard, Moeko Yamagata, Shinya Toyama, Tomohiro Matsunaga, Martina Bandolin, John Xianfeng Jiang, Fumiya Kaneko, Takumi Saikawa*, Mira Yung*, Yu Tsuji* (* former staff)

commencement: 2016
completion: expected December 2022
size: 271,859 sqf / 25,250 sqm
type: residential / commercial