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.
“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.”
