Prelude was the very first development to be approved and built under a new densification policy in the City of Vancouver, responding to four main priorities that were outlined by Council:
• Improved levels of sustainable design
• Enhanced housing diversity and inclusive communities
• Addressing homelessness and affordable housing
• Contribution to creative capital and a growing economy
With no new policy context to relate to, the building form had to maintain a stand-alone presence while creating the opportunity for multiple interfaces with future adjacent developments along the block. To help facilitate this, the building form was deliberately broken down into offset tiers that shift from one side of the site to the other.
The folding horizontal expression of the frame helps to visually minimise the overall height, while providing a strong architectural identity to the building, respectfully bridging between the scale of the existing and proposed contextual development.