The Dense Box refers to a building typology that appears more than 20 times in the Vancouver West End, and is identically replicated 6 times west of Denman. It typically occupies a 50' * 120' lot and is 5 stories high. Each floor, except the ground floor that makes up the entrance lobby and the parking, is divided into 3 one-bedroom and 7 studio apartments that flank a double-loaded corridor. A concrete waffle slab sitting on a few concrete columns, roofs the ground floor and supports the 4 levels of wood framing above. All 6 identical copies of the Dense Box are located on corner lots.
As this typology fits the foot print of the Form Shift's Vancouver Secondary perfectly, and since the greenest building is one that has already been built, our objective is to renovate and redefine this existing typology rather than creating a new one. It is our intention to remedy the existing ventilation, cooling, and daylighting problems of the Dense Box as well as to add density, diversity (by addition of both commercial units, and residential units suitable for families), and outdoor private and communal spaces. Since this is primarily a proposal for a renovation project, today's zoning requirements (which only allow for a lesser density) are overlooked in favour of the laws that applied to The Dense Box at the time of its original construction.
Statistics show that only 30% on the West End residents own cars. Therefore the decision was made to halve the number of parking stalls in favour of the addition of a revenue generating commercial space such as a restaurant. Our strategy for the residential floors was to simply open up the building where the existing double loaded corridor is located. The resulting cavity allows for natural cross ventilation and cooling for all the units. It also allows for penetration of sunlight all the way down to the second floor for at least 6 months of the year. The cavity also becomes the generative force behind the formation of private outdoor spaces, and the creation of the elements of play and spectacle, which take place through the process of rainwater collection. In addition, in comparison to the Dense Box, the renovated typology offers the following:
30% increase in leasable space
16% increase in residents
27% increase in revenue
12 units with private outdoor spaces
Shared communal space indoors and outdoors
25 studios, 2 work/live studios, 13 one bedrooms, 3 two bedrooms
Collection of 60000 litres of rainwater per year for laundry
(From competitor's text)
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