Oshawa Micro-Homes

Award Criteria

Architectural Excellence

Our client had a surplus of land that was not going to be developed within the next 5 to 10 years. Hence, they wanted a solution to quickly house people currently experiencing homelessness. We developed two pods of 5-unit transitional housing suites. These suites came equipped with their own kitchen, washroom, and sleeping space within approximately 270 square feet of space. Each pod also had one handicap-accessible unit. All MEP equipment had separate access from the main units, allowing maintenance to occur without having to access the suites themselves. We achieved this by creating a separate module at the back of each pod which houses all MEP equipment. The finished material on the exterior includes a Hardie board siding, which was selected because of its long-lasting, durable makeup. In addition, using a wide variety of colour palettes, we were able to ensure the building fit into the existing communities.

Technical Innovation & Sustainability

Because our client was using surplus land, which was slated to be redeveloped in 5 to 10 years, the intent of this build was to relocate these units to another temporary or permanent site. This will allow the building to be repurposed in the future, while making use of the land. The units were partially funded by the Canadian Government’s Rapid Housing Initiative, which requires that the building exceeds the National Energy Code of 2015 by 25 percent.

Cost Effectiveness

This building was designed to be relocatable. It was decided to use a temporary block and pad foundation due to the temporary nature of the build but also to conserve on costs. We can repurpose the entire building including the foundation. The tenants within this building are typically transitioning from the street. We have been able to provide all the necessary functions while still creating a comfortable environment in a compact unit.