Located within the Surrey City Centre this striking high-rise residential development comes as a first step in the transformation of a light industrial and low-density commercial area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood. The project includes 234 market housing units within a 31-storey tower and a 6-storey podium.
A simple rectangular tower form that is oriented to be parallel to Whalley Blvd. anchors the building composition. Feature balconies are skewed and oriented to the north and south property lines providing both contrast and architectural interest. The top two levels of the tower are set back from the east to provide a large roof terrace that opens to distant mountain views for all residents to enjoy. Asymmetry in the composition provides for areas of exuberance and areas of relative visual quiet, while an alternating pattern of balconies is used to create a strong rhythm to both the north and south facades.
The 6-storey podium base along Whalley Blvd. creates an urban street wall that breaks down the scale of the tower. At the lower floors 2-storey townhouses are characterized by highly articulated facades with individual entries, feature balconies and expansive raised terraces that animate the Whalley Boulevard public realm. A transparent double-height glass lobby accessed at the northwest corner creates a transparent, welcoming quality for the project’s main entrance. An upper 4-storey metal panel frame opens at the corner to accentuate a feature tree planter.
The project is designed as a contemporary response to the emerging character of the surrounding neighbourhoods. It is characterized by clean lines, simple geometries, as well as a layering of materials and the unique use of colour and pattern. The overall colour palette is somewhat restrained but high-contrast and plays a secondary role to the highly-articulated façade. The townhouses and building podium employ a darker, richer colour palette than most of the upper tower. Charcoal coloured cement panels are laid in a staggered horizontal pattern and contrast the rich rust-coloured cement panels used both on feature walls and soffits. The lower podium frame feature is clad in off-white metal panels to match the tower cladding.
The overall light colour palette of the tower, with its white metal panels, is contrasted by a simple repetitive pattern of vertical projecting charcoal window mullions and grey spandrel glass that extends up the height of the tower, becoming a feature enclosure at the top of the building. A fresh green colour ceramic frit, that takes its inspiration from the surrounding distant landscape, is used on the glass of feature balconies. As the first project to be completed in this emerging neighbourhood, Ascent paves the way for the transformation of this area in transition. Balancing livability and efficiency the project creates a striking architectural addition to the skyline of the downtown Surrey.