Terrace House, Vancouver
In June 2017, new images were released of Terrace House, a residential tower in Vancouver that, when built, will be the world’s tallest hybrid timber structure. Designed by the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, and developed by PortLiving, the tower will reach 71 m-high providing accommodation over 19 storeys.
It will be constructed using a pioneering hybrid structure of timber, concrete and steel. The mono-pitched timber-framed structure will be clad with glass and supported by a concrete and steel core.
Terrace House is the latest of many developments featuring timber construction, as architects and engineers reappraise the building material for its sustainability, quality, strength and speed of installation.
Ban’s design shows the terraces lining up with its neighbour, the Evergreen Building which is fronted by stepped floors with zigzagging concrete roofs. Similar to the Evergreen, Terrace House’s terraces will widely landscaped. Ban was attracted to the project by the opportunity it gave to respond to the neighbouring listed building, which was completed in 1978 to a design by Arthur Erickson.
Ban’s studio said:
"Shigeru Ban has tremendous respect for Arthur Erickson's work. It was the opportunity to design a building next to one of Erickson's masterpieces that initially drew him to this innovative project.
"The goal of this innovative wood, glass, and concrete tower is to make a prominent gesture that demonstrates Vancouver's commitment to forward-thinking sustainable design and advanced timber engineering and construction.”
Macario Reyes, founder of PortLiving, added: “Every detail has been considered, right down to the specific foliage on the terraces.”
Content and images courtesy of PortLiving.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.