ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
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This Stunning New Building Contains an Entire Bamboo Forest
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Designed by Kengo Kuma, the skyscraper is the architect’s tallest project in North America
July 10, 2023
Kengo Kuma’s latest project, called Alberni by Kengo Kuma, is many things: the architect’s tallest building in North America, a record-breaking 43-story residential tower that sold out in just six weeks, and, perhaps most surprisingly, the location for an entire bamboo forest. First announced in 2016, the skyscraper is the latest addition to Vancouver’s skyline, officially opening its doors in June. “We are very proud of our work at Alberni, not only the design but also the execution,” Kuma said in a statement.
The property also includes Aburi Hana, a restaurant serving Japanese kaiseki.
Known for his ability to merge traditional Japanese design ethos and materials with a contemporary flair, Kuma uses Alberni to build off of this reputation with a distinct focus on Japanese layering. The building’s facade is clad in aluminum and glass panels, which are interwoven in various configurations to resemble a textured patchwork. Rising among many glass-clad, sky-high buildings, Alberni was designed to both honor and standout among this consistency. “The uniformity of Vancouver's skyscraper materiality is both its strength—a characteristic, unified cityscape—and its opportunity to provide something different,” Kuma told Dezeen. The layered exterior exposes more wood and steel than glass, showcasing Kuma’s distinct perspective without neglecting the city it was built for.
The amphitheater is surrounded by a bamboo forest and hosts a Kuma-designed piano in the center.
At the base, structural beams create a semi-enclosed amphitheater where the designers crafted a Japanese moss garden and performance space. Here, a Kuma-designed Fazioli piano constructed from layered sheets on Hinoki wood waits for outdoor concerts. Also included in this space is the recently planted bamboo forest, fabricated to shield the garden and building’s entrance. Inside, residents can take advantage of a variety of amenities including a gym, pool, and coworking spaces.
Developed by Westbank, Alberni made headlines in 2016 when it broke previous records as the highest average price for a building in North America outside of New York’s Central Park corridor. “This is our ninth project with Westbank already, but our first high-rise residential work in Vancouver, as well as in North America, and this sets a high bar for us—as an expression of quality construction, engagement with city fabric, and architectural and living concept,” Kuma added. Other projects the architect and developer have collaborated on include The Teahouse in Vancouver and The Kita in Tokyo.
Light kigumi elements floating overhead are seen at the pool, which honor the Japanese tradition of craft and joinery.
“Alberni by Kengo Kuma will always hold a special place for Westbank. From conception through to completion, seeing the design unfold has been extremely rewarding,” Ian Gillespie, founder of Westbank, said in a statement. “This is a project that in time we believe the world will judge as being amongst the most artistic and resolved residential buildings ever built—layer upon layer of detail creates moments that are subtle and ever changing, only revealed through experience.”