Danish architecture firm BIG has designed a 58-storey skyscraper for telecommunications company Telus in downtown Calgary, Canada.
Working alongside local architecture firm Dialog, BIG proposes a mixed-use building that will offer 40,000 square metres of office space, of which 15,000 will be occupied by Telus. The upper levels will contain 341 rental apartments, while the ground floor will accommodate shops.
Bjarke Ingels explained: "Downtown Calgary has developed as a typical North American city centre with a cluster of corporate towers surrounded by a periphery of low density surburban homes. The Telus Sky is an attempt to create a lively mixture of living and working at the intersection of lightrail and arterial roads in the heart of the centre, to help create a more varied and walkable city centre for Calgary."
At 227 metres high, Telus Sky will be one of the tallest buildings in the city, just 20 metres shorter than The Bow, which was recently completed by Foster + Partners and is located nearby.
The tower will replace the existing Art Central building on 7th Avenue but will include a 500 square-metre public gallery dedicated to exhibitions of work by local artists. Completion is scheduled for late 2017. The property developers are Canadian firm Westbank.
Other recent tower proposals by BIG include a pair of twisted apartment blocks for Miami and an observation tower shaped like a honey dipper for Arizona. See more architecture by BIG »
Here's some more information from Telus:
TELUS building reaches for the Sky
$400-million, 750,000 square foot LEED Platinum project to transform Calgary's skyline with an architectural marvel, creating a dynamic community of blended urban living and working
TELUS is reaching for the sky with a new architectural landmark in Calgary's downtown core, transforming the entire 7th Avenue block into one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally-friendly sites in North America.
"The TELUS team is tremendously proud of our longstanding history in Alberta and thrilled to announce the development of TELUS Sky, which will stand as a lasting symbol of our passionate commitment to the Calgary community, our customers, our team members and to the province of Alberta," said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. "Our new development is a powerful contribution to Calgary's economic strength, culture and social vitality. Notably, TELUS Sky will inject millions of dollars into the community and create hundreds of local jobs while showcasing TELUS' advanced communications technologies and environmental innovation in a way never before seen in Calgary. Moreover, TELUS Sky will enrich the city's vibrant arts culture by offering inspiring public spaces that will exhibit works of art by local artists, thus creating a truly amazing destination for our team members, the community and indeed all Albertans."
TELUS Sky will be a LEED Platinum signature development for TELUS created by world-renowned architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Dialog, along with partners: developer Westbank and real estate investment trust Allied Properties. The 750,000 square foot vibrant mixed-use tower will incorporate office, retail and residential space. There will be 430,000 square feet of office space, of which 155,000 square feet will be for TELUS. The development, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017, will provide approximately 250 jobs for Calgarians, and engage local trades and companies to complete our vision.
TELUS will be the anchor tenant of the office component of the development, which will also include 341 residential rental units, thereby creating a dynamic community with a unique blend of urban living and working. TELUS Sky will also support Calgary's burgeoning arts culture, fusing iconic architecture, technological innovation and artistic expression. TELUS Sky will feature a unique 5,500 square feet public gallery to ensure the city's commitment to the arts in downtown Calgary continues. TELUS Sky will be a destination for citizens to visit and experience local works of art that reflect the region's cultural diversity and creativity.
"We know Calgarians want their downtown core to thrive – the recent floods showed us just how much the area matters to this city," said Alberta Premier Alison Redford. "That's why I'm so pleased that TELUS is making this important investment. Today's announcement is a reminder to all Calgarians that they live in a truly world-class city that is getting better by the day."
With the addition of TELUS Sky, TELUS has become the largest current lease holder of LEED Platinum space in North America. Following the highest environmental standards, TELUS Sky will be the most significant next-generation property in Calgary's history. TELUS Sky will also feature a storm water management system to recycle rain water for washroom toilets and outdoor irrigation, reducing water use by millions of litres per year. When complete, TELUS Sky will use 35 per cent less energy than similar size developments, setting a leading example in sustainability. Plans are underway to improve upon that energy efficiency, with the goal to have the final development use 80 per cent less energy than similar developments.
"Building on the success of TELUS Garden in Vancouver, we are proud to be continuing in our commitment to sustainability with the launch of TELUS Sky," said Ian Gillespie, CEO of Westbank. "Developing a LEED Platinum building means taking a look at every aspect of design and having ownership that is committed to working harder to integrate those elements. With TELUS and Allied, we have assembled that team and we look forward to working to ensure that TELUS Sky exceeds the LEED Platinum requirements, including a whole block energy sharing centre. Most importantly, we look forward to using every opportunity we have to create a beautiful building for Calgary."