Blog

Burnaby’s housing policies are evolving in 2025, with a focus on smart growth, affordable housing incentives, and energy efficiency programs. The city is revising its Community Benefit Bonus Affordable Housing Reserve (CBB AHR) to offer grants for rental projects, while balancing a limited budget. Homeowners can access provincial and federal rebates for energy upgrades. As funds are allocated, staying informed is key for developers and residents alike.

Vancouver’s 2025 housing initiatives range from rental strategies to affordability efforts. While governments take action, challenges like demolitions and density resistance persist. Are these real solutions or just short-term fixes? The bigger picture and global trends offer insight into the city’s future.

As housing costs rise, multigenerational living, supported by multiplex housing, has become a growing trend. In this blog, we explore why it’s gaining popularity, recent BC policy changes, and key factors to consider. We’ve also featured a sample project in a YouTube video. Check out the blog to learn more!

Cabinets are a key part of any home, blending functionality with style. Whether renovating or building, understanding different cabinet types from base to wall cabinets and open shelving helps you make the best choice for your space. This guide will help you navigate those options.

Renovating your kitchen? One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing the right cabinets. They’re more than just storage, they define your kitchen’s style and functionality. With so many options available, it can get overwhelming. In this first episode, we’ll explore the evolution of cabinets and dive into the pros and cons of popular materials to help you make the best choice for your space.

With the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Legislation, or what we now call "multiplex," now in effect, we have gathered and reviewed the information posted by various cities in the province of British Columbia. To provide a clear overview of the changes, we’ve compiled this information into a table as of August 2024. This table outlines how each city is adapting to the new legislation, including updates on zoning regulations, building requirements, and other relevant details.

Planning renovations or new construction but unsure which flooring type is right for you? We’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ll share information about three common flooring materials—laminate, vinyl, and hardwood—and summarize key details to help you choose the perfect flooring for your needs.

With the fast-paced changes being made to provide more housing, a series of additional bills have also been passed to address and prevent further problems that may arise from the adapted bylaws. In this case, Bill 44 and Bill 47 are now in effect, and certain problems are foreseen if not addressed earlier. This is where Bill 16 comes into play. Now, what exactly does Bill 16 do?

Do you have a lot in the city of Burnaby and want to explore more options for housing configurations? Well, what if we told you it's now possible to build 3 to 6 units on your residentially zoned lot? With the new SSMUH legislation, or what we call multiplex legislation, now in effect, building more units on a single lot is possible without undergoing long and expensive rezoning applications.

Dreaming of earning passive income from your property? Or do you want to add units to your house for family members? With recent changes in British Columbia, you can now renovate or add units without needing a costly and time-consuming rezoning application.

In our last blog, we covered the SSMUH legislation in British Columbia, which allows 3-6 dwelling units on a single residential lot. With the June 30, 2024, deadline approaching, we've gathered updates from various cities on their progress. This change supports multi-generational living, common in Canada's diverse communities, by enabling multiple homes on one property.

A new building permit hub in BC aims to eliminate delays by standardizing requirements, ensuring complete applications, and complying with the BC building code. Launched on May 27, 2024, it leverages technology to enhance efficiency and address the housing crisis.

Today’s blog introduces the comprehensive process of designing your dream single-family home, guided by an architect with two decades of experience. Through five essential steps, we'll navigate from initial preparation and engagement to the exciting phase of construction. Whether you're a prospective homeowner or simply curious about the intricacies of home design, this guide will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help bring your dream home to life.

In today's blog, we discuss the importance of 2x4 and 2x6 lumber in home construction. We explore their history, changes in building techniques, and the advantages and disadvantages of using them. Despite some drawbacks like flammability and susceptibility to pests, wood remains popular in construction due to its strength and ease of use.

Despite efforts to make childcare more affordable, a persistent shortage of facilities remains in BC. Discussions have emerged about repurposing unused government-owned areas for childcare yet, zoning laws present challenges. As specialists in childcare facility design, we are actively engaged in this evolving situation, aiming to expand accessible childcare for families.

Last December, BC introduced SSMUH - "Small-Scale, Multi-unit Housing" legislation, poised to transform housing accessibility. With a deadline of June 30, 2024, cities are rushing to adapt. SSMUH offers flexibility in building configurations within Single-Family and Duplex zones, promising a new era of affordability. Join us as we explore its impact and implications.

In this blog, we explore two of the government's efforts to address BC's housing crisis: BC's government initiative, BCBuilds, and Vancouver's Jericho Land Project. BCBuilds aims to provide affordable housing for middle-income earners through a $2 billion investment, while the Jericho Land Project seeks to create sustainable, community-focused living spaces. Despite some concerns, both initiatives offer hope for addressing the housing shortage and improving affordability in Canada.

The City of Coquitlam has been upgrading its zoning to meet the needs of its community and enhance the city's livability and comfort. With this in mind, we'll be discussing the various residential zoning regulations in Coquitlam and what you can do with your lot. Tune in to find out more!

The Vancouver City Council has just made significant changes to how buildings around transit stations are regulated. This article will cover the changes in building height, the maximum allowed FSR (Floor Space Ratio), parking requirements, and the city's overall plan for this development. Read our blog to learn more!

Join us in this blog post as we delve into the world of residential zoning changes in Vancouver. Discover how these changes play a pivotal role in Vancouver's efforts to enhance urban living, making it more enjoyable, affordable, and sustainable for all.

We're a small architectural firm with a big passion for crafting stunning mixed-use developments. Based in Gastown, Vancouver, check out our blog to get to know us better!

Vancouver's recent zoning alterations present unique opportunities and challenges for diverse groups. Join us as we break down the implications for each specific group in a simplified manner.

Vancouver is making a new rule called R1-1 to allow more homes in one area. But what does this mean if you want to live in a house by yourself and not with other people? Not everyone wants to share their home with others, so it's important to understand what's changing for single-family homes. Let's take a closer look:

Vancouver has made some exciting changes to its housing rules, and it's a bit like a game where you build things and plan how a city should look in real life. Let's explore these changes in