Harwood - Rental Housing

A dual tower rental development inspired by nature

Vancouver’s West End is one of North America’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, yet one of the most liveable communities. Harwood consists of two towers on a shared podium totally 630,000 ft2. Its 549 residential rental units include 20% at below-market rates, addressing the diverse local community. Affordable units are integrated with and indistinguishable from the market rental units with an equally shared amenity space.

The West End was developed in the 1970s with tall residential towers on relatively small urban blocks. The resulting slender towers allow light to penetrate to the street level and also enable lush foliage at grade. Harwood’s massing respects this context, maintaining private views and avoiding additional shadows to Davie Street and public parks.

The architectural expression was inspired by the white-headed woodpecker – a local, endangered species due to forest fires, logging, urbanization and pine beetle outbreaks. Colour graduates from a dark base to a light top. Texture on balcony fronts and slab edges is striated and triangulated to reflect light, akin to feathers.

Harwood builds on the strength of the neighbourhood typology, in a highly contextualized response that complements the existing concrete towers. The project is aligned with Vancouver’s goal to be the greenest city in the world, meeting the City’s Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings and Zero Emissions Building Plan.

Harwood revitalizes a local residential typology with a response that is environmentally and socially sustainable, and of this unique place in the world.