This competition focused on small lot interventions, with each entrant working on one of four sites in Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Surrey or Burnaby in British Columbia, Canada. The sites each consist of four city blocks, two blocks away from major arterials with bus routes and each site is two lots long. Entrants proposed detailed options for redevelopment of 1-2 lots in the assigned neighborhood and a master plan for the 4-city block context area.
This was not about density alone, but rather generating inspiring neighbourhood possibilities for a single lot landowner or a pair of neighbours to create affordable, higher density, low rise options that support socially contributing housing.
(From competition brief)
TOM AINSCOUGH
CITY ARCHITECT OF SURREY
The Planner's Prize responds to social interaction, affordability and regulatory innovation. The jury observed compatibility of form, character and scale within single-family neighbourhoods, in support of existing residential articulation. We also looked for opportunities for social interaction on the site and within the neighbourhood, such as courtyards, community gardens, live/work spaces, day care options and corner stores. Unit design was also considered in terms of social benefits, including flexibility of household size and the ability to adapt over time.
LAURA LEE RICHARD
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING,
CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM
An important criteria for the jury was to look at housing projects from a planning perspective, in particular how we add housing stock to our communities creatively, respectfully and in collaboration with politicians and residents. Regulatory innovation is an ongoing challenge, and the submissions in this competition have pushed the envelope and contributed ideas that will enrich planning efforts as we rethink and transform our low-density neighbourhoods.
JOE REKAB
MANAGING PARTNER BTY GROUP
Reviewing submissions from a financial perspective revealed impressive revenue possibilities, such as the idea of creating a family land trust to improve affordability, and the integration of commercial spaces within residential design. We saw a revitalized interest in co-operatives, drawing on models that have succeeded in the past. Ideas for creative financing also stood out, such as a proposal for long term capital repayment plans.
KAREN MARLER AIBC
PRINCIPAL HCMA ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
The depth and quality of information within the projects was exceptional, with many submissions illustrating complex ideas and concepts through simple graphics. The jury appreciated the exploration of intergenerational and co-housing residential models, as well as concepts that responded to the context of specific municipalities, such as a Surrey neighbourhood without laneways. Many ideas are also applicable across varied contexts. One consistent observation is that the affordability problem will not be resolved solely through design, and small changes to single-family zoning bylaws, such as setbacks, height and massing can support this effort.
DON LUYMES
COMMUNITY PLANNING MANAGER,
CITY OF SURREY
The creation of private and semi-private outdoor space becomes more challenging as density and lot coverage increases. Solutions like courtyards present interesting challenges on smaller lots, but can successfully integrate sunlight and sociability into a development. Submissions
also offered a range of rooftop activities including communal space and community gardens. Creating a flow between the private space and public realm by integrating the development with setbacks is also an interesting strategy. As we densify, it will be important to integrate architectural form with rich outdoor spaces for people.
DANIELLA FERGUSSON MCIP
MODUS PLANNING, DESIGN + ENGAGEMENT INC
Some of these schemes really do look at the big picture of how we can make our zoning and land use processes more comprehensive, efficient and easier to use. The system is broken. Rent has tripled in the last five years. This is affecting everyone and I applaud submissions who call attention to these issues. This competition brought to light inspiration beyond architecture and buildings, to look at new ways of being in community together, and leverage models that are already working such as cohousing and co-ops. Additionally, being on unceded Cost Salish land, there remain unanswered questions about what the future of private land ownership could be.
BRYN DAVIDSON M ARCH
PRINCIPAL LANEFAB
This competition was a fascinating deep dive into zoning, pro-forma and a look at how these things unfold over time. Single lot densification can directly impact affordability, for example if a young couple builds a dwelling on their parent's property, they can do so for half the cost of a market condo. Unfortunately, much of our zoning is hostile towards single-family development. This competition was an incredible opportunity to say how do we take our leafy, green, pleasant, quiet, single-family neighbourhoods and turn them into leafy, green, pleasant, quiet, multi-family neighbourhoods? These proposals can unlock this potential and open up opportunities for all income levels, which is an extraordinary thing.
(From jury report)
| Jury president |
Bruce Haden, Architecte
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| Jury | Shelley Craig, Architecte et designer urbain |
| | Bryn Davidson, Architecte et Ingénieur |
| | Gary Hack, Professeur.e |
| | Richard Henriquez, Architecte |
| | Margot Long, Chef de division |
| | Karen Marler, Architecte |
| | Sandra Moore, Architecte |
| | Joe Rekab, Chairman of BTY Group |
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| Technical Commitee | Brady Fleguel |
| | Don Luymes |
Announcement: 7 June 2017
Registration Deadline: 10 November 2017
Questions : 24 November 2017
Answers posted on the Urbanarium website: 8 December 2017
Submission Deadline: 9 February 2018
(From competition brief)
Bula, Frances, A search for the ‘missing middle’ of housing, The Globe and Mail, 2018, Vancouver
Nithya, Caleb, Affordable housing competition generates ideas for Vancouver, Construction Canada, 2018
Connolly, Joannah, Micro co-op design wins ‘missing middle’ housing competition, Vancouver Is Awesome
Geller, Michael, 'Missing middle' competition offers residential housing solutions, Vancouver Sun
- Programme
- Règlement
- Commentaire du jury
