The Bjarke Ingels Group—BIG, for short—has broken ground on Calgary's TELUS Sky Tower, a project the developer announced in 2013.
According to BIG, the tower will have a bifurcated "feminine form," with a broader base and more slender upper half. The first 26 stories will be commercial, and the second 29 will house 326 residential units. The design—which prioritizes sustainability—will be a winsome addition to Calgary's skyline.
TELUS aims for the Sky Tower to be the first building in the city to meet current LEED Platinum standards. By salvaging waste heat, utilizing triple-pane windows, allowing occupants climate-control via operable windows and providing a 100% fresh air supply, TELUS claims the Sky Tower will require 35% less energy than comparable structures do, and will "reduce CO2 emissions by over 395,000 kgs annually, equivalent to planting 158,000 trees a year," according to the company's website.
Tenants of the eco-friendly building will have access to bike parking, lockers and showers.
The Canadian design firm DIALOG also has a hand in the design.
Photos courtesy of Inhabitat
