Ian Ross McDonald, adjunct faculty at the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), received an award of excellence for his affordable housing idea in the recent City of Vancouver re:THINK HOUSING competition.
McDonald proposed Bridge Housing which calls for new density policies that allow property owners to develop over top of existing commercial and residential buildings.
“It’s a more nimble approach to property ownership, one more appropriately responsive to Vancouver’s unique market pressures,” says McDonald
He says the regulatory reform gives owners the right to to combine the sale of density and air-rights while helping to maintain and enhance a community’s existing fabric. “Benefits include the sale of density, an expanded customer base, and a more predictable future property value.”
UBC alumnus Andrew Neumann, a former student of McDonald’s, also won an award of excellence for new ecological models of home ownership. Newmann outlined community-centred, performance-based lots and housing designs that are organized around shared energy and resources.
The competition saw almost 70 entries come from around the world including the Netherlands, Turkey, the U.S., Mexico and Singapore. Winning entries will now be submitted as part of the mayor’s report on housing affordability to Vancouver City Council in the fall.