Taking Mass Timber Designs to New Heights in British Columbia

RPB Hotels and Resorts has selected HDR to provide architectural design services for the development permit application for a new purpose built 82-suite, 12-storey mass timber hotel.

The mass timber tower development will not only be the tallest mass timber tower in Kelowna, but a positive contribution to the community by providing more centrally-located hotel accommodations as well as pedestrian-friendly access to numerous associated amenities.

The 12-storey tower will be constructed using a strategy of partial encapsulation and exposed cross-laminated timber in addition to glue-laminated timber. The new hotel will provide three different suite typologies with access via a single-loaded corridor, day lit from north and south. The scale of the development is broken down through façade articulation and material treatments — distinguishing street-level retail amenities, the hotel’s main lobby, and two penthouse suites which are recessed from the main suite block on the west elevation. The façade’s glass projection, which captures common space on each floor for guests to socialize, will showcase the innovative mass timber design and construction.

The proposed hotel is located on the southwestern portion of the existing hotel site at 2170 Harvey Avenue, which is currently surface parking. The design team has strategized ways to minimize disruption of the existing infrastructure by providing a small development footprint. Despite the challenging footprint, the development will provide a generous landscape buffer on all sides in accordance with city requirements. As part of the City of Kelowna’s many green initiatives, the proposed development will provide four onsite vehicle charging stations, short-term and long-term bicycle parking.