In response to the pressing need for sustainable and affordable housing in Ontario, Canadian design firm Montgomery Sisam Architects has unveiled plans for Durham Modular Supportive Housing, a modular, affordable housing development to be located in the town of Beaverton just outside of Toronto, Ontario. Created to “push the boundaries of affordable housing,” the prefabricated project will provide 49 self-contained bachelor suites in just 12 months from design to occupancy. The Scandinavian-inspired houses will take cues from the rural environment with a natural materials palette to harmonize the built environment with nature.
Located in a rural neighborhood near Lake Simcoe, the ongoing Durham Modular Supportive Housing project will span 38,200 square feet and include senior living units. The simple gabled architecture takes inspiration from the rural vernacular with elements such as sloped roofs, dark exterior cladding and light-toned timber interiors. Connective exterior joists and interior module connections will be highlighted and exposed to draw attention to the project’s modular construction.
“Utilizing the prefabrication construction process not only allows for an extremely rapid delivery, the off-site, indoor manufacturing of the units ensures that quality control is particularly consistent, while the predictability of design and construction eliminates unforeseen costs, facilitates building assembly and site organization, and reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” Montgomery Sisam Architects explained in a project statement.
The project consists of two cypress-clad buildings connected via a glazed, single-story link. The larger of the two volumes will house the residences while the other will serve as a community space with residential services including a dining space, work rooms, meeting rooms and wellness support offices. Large windows will punctuate the building envelopes to frame views of surrounding greenery. Residents will also have access to outdoor amenities such as gardens, bike storage, dining tables and basketball hoops.
Images via Montgomery Sisam Architects
