Nestled in the bedrock adjacent Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, this Regenerative home revitalizes Indigenous biodiversity, offers a seamless transition to the outdoors and showcases locally sourced materials.
Currently in the Rezoning and Development Permit phase, this project introduces 55 low cost Regenerative Micro-Apartments wrapped around a convivial open air courtyard to the bustling Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood on Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh unceded territory, commonly known as North Vancouver. The solar roof generates electricity and harvests rainwater for non-potable uses, addressing both energy and water security.
The units have small footprints for low cost, but a high degree of amenity is offered by the expansive common roof terrace with harvest tables and outdoor kitchen.
140 square meters of balcony planters and planting beds on the terrace provide the opportunity to produce lots of food onsite each year.
As a territorial acknowledgement, the perforated metal shroud that conceals the parkade features a Coast Salish design by local artist Xwalacktun Harry.
Imagine a community where homes do more than provide shelter — they nurture and sustain life, acting as vital organisms within a thriving ecosystem. Our Regenerative Housing strategy is an Earth-centred approach that integrates Permaculture Design principles to revitalize our communities, restore biodiversity, provide Energy Water & Food Security and foster a profound symbiotic connection with the Earth.
This single family urban homestead perched on the slopes of Mount Fromme demonstrates how to grow an impressive quantity of food on a small urban lot while achieving energy and water security. This up-cycling project preserves as much embodied energy and carbon as possible by retaining the existing foundations, floors and walls. The dramatic reshaping of the roofline protectively wraps the home within and optimizes the passive and active solar performance. At the low point of the garden, a bio-filtration swim pond is shaded by a food forest. This biodiverse aquatic ecosystem is a delightful amenity and is a strategic water reserve for times of extended drought.
The breath-taking 180 degree ocean, mountain and city views are harvested into each room through expansive glass sliders. In the great room, these recess invisibly into a wall pocket providing a 6m wide seamless connection to the outdoor terrace.
The minimalist great room features local marble from Vancouver Island and reclaimed Arbutus millwork.
The roof generates 100% of the net annual electricity load and floats on clerestory pivot windows that can be opened to allow the afternoon sea breeze to passively refresh the home.
The upper yard features an all Indigenous plant palette that revitalizes biodiversity and offers habitat for pollinators and birds. Rainwater is harvested and stored in an underground tank to supply gravity fed irrigation for the extensive terraced permaculture garden below.
The new Provincial densification legislation in British Columbia, Bill 44, has great potential to provide affordability for the next generation by providing a first step on the housing ladder. It can also enable families to remain together. In our experience, crafting intergenerational housing is about balancing the need for privacy with convivial gathering opportunities. This densification will put more pressure on infrastructure, so our multiplex design is solar-ready and includes energy storage and rainwater harvesting.
Through a co-creation process, we orchestrate moments that interweave with nature. We foster meaningful family interactions and offer respite from the daily grind so that you can tune in in with tranquility and contemplation.
Nestled in nature, our latest design offers seamless indoor/outdoor living and its regenerative landscaping expands the indigenous biodiversity of Lighthouse Park. Local natural materials and finishes provide a healthy indoor environment and minimize the impacts of shipping materials over long distances. Its solar-optimized design and high-performance building envelope reduced its operating cost dramatically while providing a pleasant daylight living space.
“Thank you for all the work, the attention to details, the attentiveness, the enthusiasm, the ideas and collaboration, the patience and foresight, the persistence, cheerfulness and positive outlook. ”
This innovative project addresses the dire need for cost-affordable culturally resonant housing for Indigenous people on and off reserves. Instead of boxy colonial models, the inspiration is the Ishken, or pit house — an earth- sheltered, green roofed circular home organized around a central fire connected to the sky through a smoke opening. Building in circular form has been cost prohibitive until now, but 3D printing offers a cost-effective way forward that also addresses labour shortages. The resulting homes are highly energy efficient and climate resilient.
The regenerative green roof is Class A fire-rated and revitalizes native biodiversity and habitat. The print media utilizes our DCarb carbon negative concrete and along with our Medulla insulation permanently sequesters CO2 in the building. Solar cladding and rainwater harvesting support Energy and Water Security and Food Security is offered by the indoor living wall and raised planter beds. We are collaborating with several First Nations in the Interior of British Columbia to co-create the first prototype designs for which we are currently seeking funding.
Kekuli Interior with central Fire Circle which disperses the heat evenly from the centre of the dwelling.
Contemporary Solar Plank House featuring a Coast Salish carving by Xwalacktun Harry
The Solar Optimized Shed roof harvests enough energy to provide for itself and an electric car.
The expansive Metal Shed Roof is solar ready and Fire Resistant. As we are collecting rainwater, it is important not to contaminate this precious resource. Unlike bitumen products, metal roofs can harvest water and keep it healthy.
The north side of the dwelling is bermed into the earth for natural tempering. A water tank within the berm received and stores rainwater.
Fire Resistant metal clad solar plank house featuring a Coast Salish carving by Xwalacktun Harry.
