Living near a highway is the worst — except for the people lucky enough to live in this skyscraper.
The top-heavy Vancouver House will expand out from its tiny base and tower over the neighboring bridge. Once a deserted zone, the skyscraper will transform the space next to a dingy highway into a vibrant part of the city.
Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, the futuristic design won Project of the Year at the World Architecture Festival last week. A Canadian developer, Westbank, will complete construction in 2019. Despite its top-heavy appearance, the skyscraper is safe and structurally sound.
The Vancouver House is part of a wider urban design movement, called Vancouverism. Characterized by strategically-placed towers, patches of green space, efficient public transit, and breathtaking views, Vancouverism encourages democratic, walkable cities.
Westbank will build the steel high-rise just 100 feet away from the bustling Granville Bridge in downtown Vancouver.
When future residents look out from their balconies, they will see Vancouver's skyline, harbor, and mountains, rather than the cars below. BIG designed the skyscraper to hide most of the highway from view.
Inspired by New York City's Flatiron Building, the Vancouver House's triangular base will only take up 6,000 square feet.
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