The Butterfly
Canadian real estate developer Westbank has raised its metier to an art form. For their Vancouver building ‘The Butterfly’, AKQA Tokyo asked me to write one of two books telling the story of living in this extraordinary building. Some snippets below.
Client: AKQA Tokyo | Westbank Corp
The battle to belong
The building
The battle between man and nature is as old as civilisation itself. We are inspired by nature, yet struggle to be accepted by it. We build cities to expand our world, but simultaneously seek connection to the natural one around us. In an age of increasing detachment from nature and each other, architecture has the power to decelerate, unite and increase quality of living by celebrating nature and the passage of time
On the corner of Burrard and Nelson we envision a defining presence in the Vancouver skyline that is pure, light and fluid. Bold from the outside, yet serene on the inside, we have gone back to the fundamentals of nature, using natural light, natural ventilation and natural forms. Gone are the days when residential high-rise was strapped in the methodology of private spaces in the sky. We are opening the door
to a new paradigm that connects people to nature and each other. From impersonal enclosure to enlightened wonder, the Butterfly is born.
Reflections in the sky
Exterior
Whatever we draw, we have to be sure we can bring it to life. Even when we draw a tower that blends in with the very sky it scrapes. Or create clouds out of bulging white concrete, complemented with curved glass mirroring skies of blue. In our relentless fight for beauty, we are fortunate to have the most talented partners on our side. Such as concrete manufacturers who have been true masters at their craft for many generations.
When we asked for double curved white concrete with a terrazo finish at this scale, we knew we were asking the impossible. Yet after endless engineering, testing and refining, we landed on a delicate blend of white cement, white sand and white marble chips, sandblasted to a smooth dynamic shell of curving panels, fit for the creation of sculpture in the sky.
A port of tranquility
The Lobby
Our aim is never to create an object, always a feeling. With the Butterfly, that feeling is different every time. The lobby marks the beginning of a journey of change. Upon entering, residents and visitors alike are immersed in a multi-sensory experience. They are engulfed in an ocean of soft white fabrics, naturally slowing down the pace of the hectic streets outside. With gentle curves, a single elongated bench and soothing piano music filling the space, the experience borders on the meditative. We stayed away from cold screens and hard stone, but instead opted for soft, natural materials that are gentle to the touch. As a light breeze whispers through the space, the white curtains move almost imperceptibly, yet so distinctly.
An overture to transformation
The Piano
For an architect, it’s one thing to conceive a building. But to design a piano is another exercise entirely. And yet no building of ours is complete without a piano to match. Together with renowned piano builder Paolo Fazioli, we have transformed the piano into the instrument of a broader philosophy. It is both a manifestation of the passion we put into our projects and a unique challenge to our architects.
For this particular piano, the lightness of the Butterfly, the airiness of the breezeways and the dynamic forms of the outer shell are all reflected in the open curved woodwork of the legs. The legs which, incidentally, were the hardest to bring to life, as their design proved too frail to support the weight of the piano. Refusing to compromise on the design,
we created an internal metal framework which we covered with driftwood. In doing so, we were able to uphold both the original design concept and the piano itself. When the first notes of this musical sculpture fill the lobby, gently drowning out the busy world outside, the metamorphosis will be complete.
Passing through
The Elevators
After the elevator swiftly transports you to your floor, time slows down once more upon arrival in the breezeway. Delicately lining the corridors with soft, reflective glass walls and bringing them in direct connection to the open air, we have created an experience that is dependant on the prevailing light and weather conditions. In doing so, we have effectively given nature control over our design. The sensation of a fresh Pacific breeze, the sound of birds or the smell of summer rain right outside the door of your high-rise apartment. Living in the Butterfly, you are one with nature in the heart of the city.
A celebration of nature
The Breezeways
Change leaves a longer lasting impression than monotony. How do you turn something as repetitious as the daily journey to your front door into an experience of enjoyment rather than necessity? By ridding it of its static character. And turning to nature for inspiration. Nature is ever changing. Buildings, by definition, are not. Small occurrences such as breath of wind quietly stirring up the air or a sliver of sunlight breaking through the clouds can have surprisingly big effects. Imagine being welcomed by a cool ocean breeze as you step off the elevator. Walking through expansive vistas instead of confined hallways on the way to your home. Trees running up along the spine of the towers, connecting one storey to the next. Constant change, fluid like nature itself.
With the breezeways, we wanted to replicate that perpetual transitional state. But when you’re working with the influx of natural air and light, the challenge lies in striking the right balance between form and function. Up in the air, it’s a fine line between being in touch with nature and being exposed to it. When you get it right however, the results are dramatic. The breezeways are both the physical and metaphoric spine of the building, expressing its iconic form and vision to inspire sustainable and socially connected living. They are much more than walkways. They are communal gardens in the sky.
A world without barriers
The Homes
There’s something paradoxical about the idea of a home that changes every day. Home represents stability. A constant factor in a fast moving world. But even within the boundaries of the familiar there is room for interpretation. Created by interplay between moveable glass walls and semi-transparent curtains, the notion of permanent change continues inside the apartments. We removed dry wall from the living quarters and replaced them with glass panels and semi-transparent curtains, increasing the sense of space. How a simple swipe of a curtain can have such a grand effect on a space. We have essentially created a light plan powered by nature. As natural light floods in, shadows scatter, changing the scene entirely.
With an exterior design language that lends itself so perfectly for fluid interior circulation, we were by no means bound to traditional design principles. Curves and forms from the exterior naturally transpire into every unit. Through white porcelain tile floors, white ceilings and back painted white glass walls, we dissolved structural confines and created the sensation of one continuous space. Two walls on both sides of the hallway mark the entrance. One made of reflective glass, the opposite wall of transparent glass. One captures the natural light; the other distributes it. Both create a beautiful state of permanent motion.