Transforming compact vacant lots into 109 affordable and supportive homes
With a housing shortage and rocketing prices, there’s a need for affordable housing in Vancouver. Our Architecture team—along with Bird/Stack Modular—is working with the City of Vancouver and BC Housing to address this issue. The goal is to transform a small vacant lot into a vibrant community of 109 affordable and supportive homes.
The team is using an innovative new model: a 14-story permanent, modular volumetric steel building made up of studio units with community facilities that include a rooftop cultural space, an Indigenous plant garden, shared dining, and bicycle parking. The building design has dedicated space for support workers and programs that support cultural and spiritual practices. Engagement with the project operators, the BC Indigenous Housing Society and the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, has been key to understanding community needs. The outside of the building features Indigenous-commissioned art, and the delivery of the project will involve Indigenous-led businesses and workers.
Modular construction is a great fit for this project. It’s rapidly constructed and cost-effective to manufacture. Designed to Passive House standards, the project will create sustainable places for people to call home.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- BC Housing
- Partners
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- Bird/Stack Modular
Adam Collins, Senior Associate, Building Acoustics Lead
Creating user experiences that meet client needs is the most rewarding part of our job.
Jody Bielun, Intern Architect
Design is a loop—we shape our environment, and our environment shapes us.
Simon VanGrootheest, Associate, Project Designer
Decisions we make together during the design process are commitments toward making a better community for people.
Colleen Dixon, Principal
Creating communities is about more than buildings—we need look at the relationships, and the spaces in between to see the full vision.
We’re better together
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Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.