Castlegar Student Housing, Selkirk College
360 Volumetric Construction Management spearheaded this innovative partnership with Scott Builders Inc. as the GC and ROC Modular as the modular supplier.
ROC Modular was proud to deliver a much-needed new permanent modular Student Housing Residence for Selkirk College, located in Castlegar, a community in the Kootenay region of Interior British Columbia, Canada. The project is one of two buildings delivered simultaneously for the University across the campus.
Modular construction was chosen as the ideal solution to provide high-quality, fast-track affordable housing for students, delivering a 3-storey, 30-module, 114-student bed building with a mass-timber main common area for student amenities. The project houses students attending Selkirk College and each dorm unit has a shared washroom, and the building also has a number of communal areas including welcoming common spaces, spacious communal kitchens, an allotment of family units and the all-important study rooms. Incorporating modern design, the buildings place a premium on today’s learner. Aligning with BC’s Wood First Initiative and designed to meet Step 4 of the province’s Energy Step Code. There is a beautifully designed covered walkway connecting the current 100-unit student housing with the new building.
The project achieved step-code 4 of the BC Energy code, receiving exceptional ratings for energy efficiency and environmental design. Utilizing modular construction allowed for a faster schedule while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency during construction. The project was designed to achieve a high level of energy performance by applying passive design principles, and the goal for the project was to increase the overall performance of the building through sustainable construction materials and improved energy efficiency. The hybrid integration of modular and mass-timber for the project provided technical innovation and beautiful architectural design for the finished building. The mass-timber in the main common areas provided open spans and beautiful architectural details, this hybrid method blended seamlessly together to create a stunning project.
Modular construction provided a fast-track schedule which reduced overall project cost and enables Selkirk College to meet the needs of both students and the community. High-quality modular student housing is a critical element for learner success and the completed project will result in better outcomes across the institution. Due to the Interior BC location of this project and a lack of trade availability in the area, modular construction provided the best option and lots of design consideration was given to completing as much in the factory as possible. Building in the ROC Factory reduced the need for trades and allowed the project to be completed faster and more cost-effectively. All interior finishes were completed in the factory prior to delivery, and all furnishings were installed, with a high degree of finish.
More from Modular Advantage
Falcon Structures: Thinking Inside the Box
Some of Falcon’s latest projects include creating container solutions for New York’s Central Park and an East Coast professional baseball team. More and more, Falcon is shipping out container bathrooms and locker rooms to improve traditionally difficult work environments, like those in oil and gas or construction.
UrbanBloc—From Passion to Industry Leader
UrbanBloc specializes in three main categories or markets – what they call “Phase 0” projects, amenities, and urban infill. Clients are often attracted to shipping containers because from a real estate perspective they are considered an asset. Having the flexibility to move and transport these assets allows owners to respond to different circumstances in a fluid manner that they can’t get with standard construction.
The Hospitality Game-Changer
“Hospitality is about more than just providing a service – it’s about delivering an experience,” says Anthony Halsch, CEO of ROXBOX. “And that’s where containers thrive. They allow us to create spaces that are unique, efficient, and sustainable.”
Container Conversions Counts on Simplicity to Provide Critical Solutions
Container Conversions has fabricated and developed thousands of containers for varied projects, including rental refrigeration options, offices, kitchens, temporary workplace housing, and mobile health clinics.
Revelution Containers and S. I. Container Builds: On a Mission to Revelutionize Housing
Rory Rubun and Pam Bardhi are on a mission to create more housing. Together, they plan to build shipping container eco communities similar to single-family subdivisions, and mixed-use buildings in urban settings. They also want to expand the footprint of ADUs across the nation.
BMarko Structures – Modular Means Flexible
In an effort to increase sales, Miami’s Bal Harbour Shops devised a unique idea – create a mobile mini version that could travel to other locations and tap into new customer bases. Shipping containers seemed to make the most sense as the backbone for the new mall, but there was certainly an image problem: How to provide a high-end shopping experience using shipping containers?
Mākhers Studio: Tackling Workforce Housing, Local Job Creation, and Sustainable Living— One Container at a Time
With her background as a landscape architect and urban designer, Wanona Satcher launched Mākhers Studio in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017. The modular design company and manufacturing firm was created by to address the pressing issue of affordable housing.
Training for MBI Members and Beyond
MBI member companies and staff are eligible to access the MBI Learning Center as a benefit of MBI corporate membership.
The How-To Guide For Prefab Leaders: Actively Manage Your Prefab Schedule
By leveraging technology like Offsight to communicate updates to all stakeholders in real time, you can enable collaboration and coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
Strong, Resilient, Sea-Crossing Boxes Repurposed Efficiently As Homes
Shipping containers have been manufactured in excess, to the point that some sit without being used. Creative designers saw that unused product, recognized its strength, resiliency, size and structure, and soon imagined it as a home. Now, in an environment where housing is in critical demand, shipping containers have been used in all types of housing.