STATUS
Complete
LOCATION
Duncan, BC
REGION
Vancouver Island
CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society
PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Architects
BUILDING SIZE
4-story – 52,000 sq. ft.
50 units
PROJECT COST
$14 million
COMPLETION DATE
December 2013
Ts’i’ts’uwatul Lelum (pronounced Ts-ee-tsu-wa-tul Lay-lum), is Hul’qumi’num for “home for helping each other.”
This four-storey, 52,000 sq. ft. LEED Silver building is comprised of 50 self-contained apartment-style units, specifically designed for Elders and persons with disabilities. Support services are provided in a culturally-sensitive manner to those in need of assistance with the activities of daily living. It includes a dining room, craft room, theatre room, an Aboriginal ceremony room, and an outdoor gathering place.
The partnership involves a 49-year lease with Cowichan Tribes (building is located on their traditional territories) and a 35-year mortgage. It is serviced by Island Health, with BC Housing and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) playing key roles. An Aboriginal Elders’ Advisory Committee advised on the project, including on aspects of design, employment, cultural competency training, and operations.
The M’akola Development Services team oversaw all aspects of the project scope, including community consultations, need and demand study, feasibility analysis, design, financing, construction, and operations. M’akola’s work on this project was conducted in a thoughtful and collaborative manner, according to the clients’ needs. The project was completed on time and under budget.
Project Reference
Kevin Albers
Chief Executive Officer, M’akola Housing Society
