This project integrates the church program from an existing building on site, with 104 new rental units, in a building that will be Passive House Certified. Passive House is low energy consuming construction standard which aims to deliver a high quality built environment. Key principles of Passive House design are adopted at the earliest outset and are a main driver in the form of development for this project. Articulation of the exterior building envelope has been kept to a minimum to reduce the total surface area of the exterior walls and limit opportunities for thermal bridging. Exterior building articulation will be achieved using a playful mix of sun-shading devices and balcony articulation to provide visual interest along the street.
It is one of the first developments in the area built to suit changes in the Grandview-Woodland Community plan. The building massing has been crafted to reduce massing impact on surrounding smaller scale residences, while allowing the church to feature prominently as a distinct entity. The church entrance on the corner of Semlin Drive and 12th Avenue anchors the building and provides for a high degree of visual porosity throughout animating the public realm. The project achieved rezoning in early June 2020 and is progressing on the City of Vancouver’s Short Program.