Office tower planned for downtown Vancouver inspired by Japanese lamp

With a design inspired by a Japanese lamp, a new highriseplanned for 400 West Georgia Street could become a bright spot on Vancouver's often maligned architectural design scene.

According to Westbank Development president Ian Gillespie, the 24 storey building has the potential to "reinforce the monumental significance of the street with a project that will form a landmark at the eastern gateway into downtown."

The steel, glass and concrete office tower is designed by Merrick Architecture and features offset cubes sprouting from a central stem.

Exterior cascading gardens and living moss walls runthe full height of the structure.

"We don't think our ambitions should stop at a creative design, but rather we should maintain ahighdegree of artistry throughout the entire process," wroteGillespie in the rezoning application made to the City of Vancouver.

The development is slated at the location of a current Budget Car Rentaloffice,across from the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

Gillespie says that with nearby projects like the library, the new Vancouver Art Galleryand the redevelopment of the historic Canada Post building a "vision of Georgia as the city's ceremonial avenue is coming together."