595 West Georgia Tower Introduces Vancouver’s First Supertall Design
Amy Duong — April 12, 2026 — Art & Design
References: henriquezpartners
Henriquez Partners Architects’ 595 West Georgia tower presents a supertall skyscraper proposal reaching approximately 1,033 feet in height. The structure forms part of the larger Georgia & Abbott development, which includes multiple towers across the site. The exterior features a diagrid steel exoskeleton clad in glass fibre reinforced polymer panels, with translucent glazing integrated between structural elements. The framework shifts load-bearing to the outer shell, reducing the need for internal columns and opening up floorplates across the building.
The tower’s form draws from glass sea sponge reefs found off the coast of British Columbia, translated into a porous lattice surface with layered depth. The program includes hotel accommodation, conference spaces, and a rooftop observation deck accessible to the public. The project sits within a multi-building scheme that also includes residential towers and a social housing component, arranged across a shared urban site.
Image Credit: Henriquez Partners Architects
The tower’s form draws from glass sea sponge reefs found off the coast of British Columbia, translated into a porous lattice surface with layered depth. The program includes hotel accommodation, conference spaces, and a rooftop observation deck accessible to the public. The project sits within a multi-building scheme that also includes residential towers and a social housing component, arranged across a shared urban site.
Image Credit: Henriquez Partners Architects
Trend Themes
1. Bio-inspired Architectural Lattices - Designs that mimic marine sponge porosity enable lightweight, high-strength facades that redefine aesthetic and structural integration at scale.
2. Exoskeleton Structural Systems - Shifting primary loads to an external diagrid shell reduces interior columns and creates expansive, flexible floorplates for novel program arrangements.
3. Mixed-use Supertall Developments - Vertical complexes combining residential, social housing, hospitality, and public observation areas concentrate diverse urban functions into a single landmark footprint.
Industry Implications
1. Construction Materials - Advanced composites and glass fibre reinforced polymer cladding support lighter structural shells and enable more intricate, performance-driven facade geometries.
2. Urban Real Estate Development - Large-scale shared-site projects that integrate social housing with luxury components alter land-use economics and create new models for inclusive density.
3. Hospitality and Public Spaces - Hotels and rooftop observation amenities within supertall towers transform visitor experiences and create revenue opportunities tied to iconic architecture.
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