Promontory
2688 West Mall, UBC, Vancouver BC
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Promontory is an exclusive 18-storey residential high-rise located next to the Botanical Gardens at the picturesque University of British Columbia (UBC). With 95 units, it is the most westerly high-rise in Vancouver and boasts exceptional views.
The building is rooted in its geography and its relationship to the University of British Columbia. Sited on a promontory at the rim of the Pacific, and within a university campus, a "lantern" metaphor was developed: A lantern as an esoteric image, representing the light of knowledge beckoning to all. This lantern, situated on this spectacular promontory, is also seen as a 'beacon', lit upon a bluff, guiding Pacific Rim Peoples to these shores, in the search for a civilized and peaceful life.
Promontory is the only high rise building in mid-campus at UBC and serves as a focal point for the neighbourhood. The building has been positioned toward the rear of the site, which provides the opportunity for landscape amenities for the residents and also minimizes shadow impacts on adjacent properties. The distribution of suites is such that all suites get both sun and views.
The building is narrow in the north south direction and elongated in the east west direction to minimize view impact from the West Mall, and the botanical gardens. The top 3 floors step back to reduce bulk and to create a distinctive cap to the building. The lower floor and parking structure are set into the sloping topography to minimize their impact and to enable ease of access for disabled visitors and residents. The base is distinctively different from the upper floors utilizing more glass to create a strong indoor/outdoor relationship. Extensive trellis detailing is intended to create a 'west coast' style environment.
Semi-private spaces on the southwest edges of the building are intended to provide programming opportunities for residents. Patio and lawn spaces are designed as extensions of the building amenity spaces and step up or down as needed to integrate into the landscape.
Quick Facts
| Client: | Polygon Homes Ltd. |
| Status: | Completed 2005 |
| Storeys: | 18 |
| Units: | 95 |
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