BC Housing announced on November 13, 2018, projects that were selected for the Building BC: Community Housing Fund.
“Years of inaction on the B.C. housing crisis left families struggling to get by and unable to get ahead,” said Premier John Horgan. “These new, affordable rental homes are an important step toward addressing the housing crisis and giving families in every part of the province a break from skyrocketing housing costs.”
The new homes are designed to address the need for affordable housing across a range of income levels, in response to a housing crisis that has made housing unaffordable for even middle-class families.
Much like past investments in co-op and non-profit housing, individual buildings will contain units aimed at a mix of income levels, including homes for middle-income individuals and families, deeply subsidized rentals for seniors and others on fixed incomes, and homes for low-wage workers.
“Through the Community Housing Fund, we are building housing so that growing families, aging seniors and low- to moderate-income individuals can afford homes in the communities they live and work in,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “These new homes will have life-changing impacts for people and communities right across the province.”
The Province’s new Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years, will build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for seniors, families and low- and middle-income earners, with many to include child care. These 4,900 homes, the first set of projects selected through this fund, will include both non-profits and co-ops, and will be built over the next two to three years.
Number TEN is working with two non-profit housing societies whose projects were selected by BC Housing:
$5.8 million to the Gorge View Society who are looking to add 58 homes for families and seniors on their property at Chown Place. They have operated 100 suites for seniors for the past 50 years on their property at 11 Chown Place in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood of Victoria.
$2.4 million to the Rogers Court Society who are planning on 24 homes for non-profit seniors housing at the Anglican Diocese's property of St. Peter & St. Paul's in Esquimalt neighbourhood of Victoria. This project envisions a new campus that incorporates a heritage designated church, a new Ministry Centre and 24 units of seniors housing.
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation New Education Facilities
Number TEN has been awarded the design contract for two new education facilities for Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, a vibrant and thriving First Nation based in Nelson House, Manitoba, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg and 80 kilometres west of Thompson. The two new schools will be designed to meet projected student growth increases in the community and will replace an existing school that is nearing the end of its useful life. The project includes a new 5,613 sq. m. grade 7 to 12 school with a capacity of 476 students, a new 4,828 sq. m. Kindergarten (K4/K5) to grade 6 school for 587 students, and 1,660 sq. m. of new housing for teachers.
“Our approach is to work closely with the NCN to gain an understanding of the community’s needs, culture, and priorities in order to develop a design that will improve learning outcomes for the people of Nisichawayasihk for decades to come,” says Number TEN partner and practice leader Greg Hasiuk. “Our goal is to provide Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation with state-of-the-art learning environments that will also enhance their cultural identity, land-based education programs, and engagement with the community.”
A key design strategy will be to incorporate proven 21st century learning concepts to more effectively engage a new generation of students and offer new and exciting ways to teach and learn. “Our firm brings leading-edge approaches to 21st century learning developed through extensive research, experience and advocacy work with some of Canada’s most progressive school boards in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta,” says Hasiuk. “Additionally, our extensive experience working with First Nation communities will serve the project well and help achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders.”
Currently in the pre-design stage, the Nisichawayasihk educational facilities project is targeting occupancy
by 2022.
Project Team
Prime Consultant: Number TEN Architectural Group
Project Manager: P.M. Associates Ltd.
Structural Engineering: Crosier Kilgour & Partners
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering: SMS Engineering
Landscape Architecture: HTFC Planning & Design
Civil Engineering: Neegan Burnside Ltd.
Quantity Surveying: Postma Quantity Surveying
Environmental Assessment: True Grit Engineering
Dave Lalama
Number TEN partner and Hospitality / Entertainment Studio lead Dave Lalama was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) - the leading voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada. The fellowship recognizes outstanding achievement in design excellence, exceptional scholarly contribution, or distinguished service to the profession and community. Dave was one of 40 architects across the country, and one of two in Manitoba, to earn the prestigious fellowship.
Leslie Myers
The Number TEN Partners are very pleased to announce Leslie Myers as a new associate in the firm. Leslie is the lead interior designer in the firm’s Victoria Office and possesses a balance of experience and skills that translate into great client service and continued success for our firm. As an associate Leslie will broaden her involvement in firm-wide strategic planning, firm management, and leadership succession.
Leslie has grown the Victoria office's interior design practice during the past five years and has recently achieved her professional NCIDQ certification. Currently, the Victoria office’s interior design work has been focused on a range of BC government projects including the redevelopment of the historic Queen’s Printer building in downtown Victoria. Read about the interesting story of the Queen’s Printer project on Number TEN’s Inspired blog.
Brent Bellamy
Creative director and associate Brent Bellamy was selected to be part of an esteemed jury for Infrastructure Canada's Smart Cities Challenge, which encourages communities to adopt a smart cities approach to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology. Brent was invited by Canada’s minister of infrastructure and communities to be part of the twelve-member jury to advise on the selection of finalists and winners of the Smart Cities Challenge Canada.
Greg Hasiuk
Number TEN practice leader Greg Hasiuk has been nominated and selected as a prairies region finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year program, which recognizes the achievements of Canada’s top entrepreneurial talent. Greg will join the other distinguished regional finalists at the Prairies Entrepreneur of the Year gala in Calgary on October 18.
Aruna Anaparti, Laura Thomson and Sian Porter
Three Number TEN staff members achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) green associate status from the Canada Green Building Council. Aruna Anaparti, Laura Thomson and Sian Porter earned the credential in recent weeks, bringing the firm’s total number of LEED certified staff members to 23.
Laurene Bachand and Aaron Pollock
Residential / Commercial Studio lead Laurene Bachand and architectural intern Aaron Pollock played leading roles in organizing Winnipeg’s On the Docks; a campaign to engage community members and design professionals to develop ideas for the redevelopment of Winnipeg’s derelict Alexander Docks site. Check out their recent interview with CBC news. Laurene and Aaron also placed as finalists for the Winnipeg Architecture and Design Film Festival’s Archishorts competition for their independent entry titled Beige City.
Doug Hanna, Erin Riediger, Aaron Pollock
Partner Doug Hanna is serving as the MAA’s new treasurer, while architectural intern Aaron Pollock is appointed as intern representative. Designer and intern architect Erin Riediger recently completed her tenure as student representative. The MAA is a self-governing professional association, mandated by the Province of Manitoba under The Architects Act to regulate the practice of architecture in the province.
Craig Bachynski
Long-time Number TEN contract administrator Craig Bachynski received the CCCA (Certified Construction Contract Administrator) designation from Construction Specification Canada (CSC). The professional certification attests to Craig’s knowledge of recommended practices in organizing, implementing and supervising construction contract documents, as well as expertise in written communication.