Deloitte Summit, by OSO, looks like a collection of neatly stacked glass cubes as the mesmerizing skyscraper reaches a height of 90 m (295 ft) in Vancouver, Canada. The structure provides flexible office space and several outdoor terrace areas.
The result was a result of grouped efforts by Merrick Architecture, with landscaping by HAPA Collective. Structurally, the glass cubes are held in place by a steel frame and are centered around a concrete core having 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 the illusion of sliding volumes.”
Deloitte Summit covers a space of 34,850 sq m (375,00 sq ft) and has more than 24 floors. Majorly, the space it offers will be given to offices.
The architects also made it a priority to embellish the building with greenery on the multiple exterior terraces which will continue to grow over time. The skyscraper also has Vancouver’s largest rooftop terrace.
The project was commissioned by Canadian developer Westbank, which is the firm behind Kengo Kuma’s upcoming Park Habitat. OSO and Westbank are also working together for another unusual project that’s currently in progress and will involve installing a Boeing 747 jet between two skyscrapers in Seattle.