Located in the remote community in BC, this Indigenous housing project responds to a pressing need for affordable, sustainable homes in a rural setting with limited access to construction resources. The project includes two triplexes and one four-plex, allowing members of the Nation to return to their lands and to age in place.

Given the challenges of building in a logistically complex and trade-scarce location, the design team implemented a range of innovative solutions to ensure quality, performance, and constructability. Prefabricated wall and roof panels, sourced from BC Passive House, were central to the strategy, allowing for precise fabrication, efficient transportation, and quick assembly on-site. This approach not only reduced construction timelines but also enhanced thermal performance and airtightness.

Designed to BC Energy Step Code – Step 4, the homes feature high-performance building envelopes, HRVs, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and meticulous detailing to address air sealing and moisture control, critical for the region’s climate. Ongoing collaboration with an energy modeler and building envelope consultant throughout the design ensured performance targets were met with minimal margin for error.

Equally important was the community-driven design process. From the outset, elders and community members were engaged to define housing needs, cultural priorities, and multigenerational living considerations. As a result, both material selections and building form reflect cultural values and local context, ensuring these homes are not only efficient and durable, but deeply connected to place and people.

Funded by BC Housing, this project stands as a model for resilient, culturally grounded housing in remote communities, demonstrating how innovation and collaboration can overcome logistical barriers to deliver high-performance, dignified homes.