For Altus White Rock, a mixed-use building, Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc. designed a modern exterior with abundant fenestration products in a distinctive rectilinear grid-work, which breaks down its scale. The firm created a repeating pattern of rectangle and square shapes with white stone, and glazing with dark-colored aluminum framing, contrasting with the white stone.
Clean lines articulate offset, vertical volumes with projected, recessed balconies. Staggered elevations form a cascading variety of private and shared terraces and patios with views of Semiahmoo Bay and Boundary Bay. Additionally, Chris Dikeakos Architects designed the building with varied height and scale to harmonize it with the surrounding community.
To complete the project, Transparent Glazing Systems (TGS) Ltd. installed Alumicor’s curtainwalls, terrace doors, and windows with aluminum framing.
During winter, the building envelope provides adequately high thermal performance to support energy efficiency. In warmer weather, projected window vents in the curtainwall allow ventilation.
Sustainable elements of the project include recyclable building materials; energy-efficient, low-flow fixtures; water-conserving, drought-resistant landscaping; and natural and constructed canopies for shading.
The 12-floor Altus White Rock mixed-use building contains residential space in 126 units. On the first two floors, there are 4,181 m2 (45,000 sf) of commercial and retail spaces.
Developer: Oviedo Properties; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
General contractor: The Quorum Group, Langley, British Columbia, quorumgroup.net
Architect: Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, dikeakos.com
Installer: Transparent Glazing Systems (TGS) Ltd., Burnaby, British Columbia, tgsbc.com
Curtainwalls/terrace doors/windows: Alumicor, Toronto, Canada, alumicor.com
