Boundary Crescent

CLIENT
Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, Vancouver Island Mental Health Society and Haven Society

LOCATION
Nanaimo, BC

DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION
Completed in 2016

SITE SIZE
28,287 sq. ft.

BUILDING SIZE
34,281 sq. ft.

TOTAL BUDGET
9.3 million

DESIGN TEAM
Chow Low Hammond Architect

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked with Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, Vancouver Island Mental Health Society, and Haven Society to develop a new supportive housing development in Nanaimo, BC.

The new development opened in 2016 – it consists of 41 bachelor units with ground floor communal space that includes a common kitchen, lounge area, and an activity/multi-purpose area. The units are geared towards those seeking supportive or transitional housing, including those with mental health and addictions and women seeking transitional housing. The new development did not seek LEED certification, but best practices for cost-effective energy efficiency and best life-cycle cost were actively pursued.   

As the development consultant for the project, MDS successfully managed all the moving pieces during conceptual design, construction, and through to completion. Key responsibilities included acting as the client representative, liaising with federal and provincial funders, and facilitating a partnership protocol agreement amongst the three parties.

MDS SERVICES

• Land management – land development 
• Climate change, energy, and air – building energy & GHG emissions 
• Housing – housing affordability; housing diversity 
• Mobility and accessibility – mobility; accessibility  
• Health and well-being – poverty; health, care, wellness and harm reduction 
• Sense of community – social interaction; inclusion; vibrancy 
• Economic development – infrastructure; neighbourhood; and training and development 
• Feasibility Analysis