Ryder Architecture has received approval from the City of Vancouver to proceed with its Passive House affordable housing development, created for Brightside Community Homes Foundation.

Designed around the foundation’s mandate to build and foster resilient communities for those who struggle to meet the demands of market housing, the development will prioritize affordability and energy efficiency.

The project involves the redevelopment of two existing buildings comprised of 157 studio and 1-bedroom suites. When complete, it will bring much-needed accessible, affordable housing to Vancouver for seniors and people with disabilities.

“It’s so exciting to see the legacy of seniors affordable housing in Grandview Woodlands continue with this great project,” said Lilian Chau, Director of Community Real Estate at Brightside, following the approval of the project. “The development is also Passive House, with great indoor/outdoor space to foster social connection, while enabling seniors to age-in-place with grace and dignity.”

The Passive House affordable housing project is being designed and constructed to the international Passive House standard, with substantially reduced energy requirements, better occupant comfort, and a lower operational carbon footprint. Future climate modelling, solar shading, and tempered cooling strategies are being employed to achieve optimal energy performance as well as provide high indoor air quality and thermal comfort for the at-risk population who will call these new buildings home.

“This project provides many community benefits, including improved interactions with the public realm, landscape and urban agriculture opportunities and connections to the community,” said Warren Schmidt, Principal at Ryder Architecture. “Most importantly, this project proposes a substantial increase in the affordable rental housing stock in the community, a critically under-supplied resource.”

Construction will begin in early 2021.