Designing resilient and connected housing: Illustrations and insights from our design jam

This article was originally posted on January 2, 2025 at SFU Renewable Cities.

Housing is particularly well-suited to multi-solving approaches, as it is so much more than four walls and a roof: it is critical to economic, health, safety and social infrastructure.

We’ve partnered with our friends at Hey Neighbour Collective and Happy Cities to deliver the Housing That Connects Us project. Together, we gathered 40 professionals to explore opportunities to multi-solve by integrating social connection and climate resilience into site designs.

Here’s what some participants shared after our session:

“There is such a passion amongst so many professionals who want to work towards social connectedness and nature-based solutions.”    

“A much needed refresh with lots to share with senior staff!”

“I feel so thankful to be with like minded people.”

Jam time!

Table groups worked on a retrofit or new build site with specific parameters and an unlimited budget to encourage blue-sky thinking. Each group had 45 minutes to ideate and incorporate their ideas for incorporating nature-based solutions and social connections into a multi-unit residential building site design. 

Groups could choose one of the following existing or new build sites for their designs.

Existing build

New build

Key opportunities for addressing climate and social connection

• Nature-based solutions such as green roofs, bioswales and rainwater solutions are crucial for improving climate resilience 
• Shared amenities are a key opportunity for residential buildings to enhance climate resilience and social connectedness, including designing for multi-functionality
• Considering and connecting features at the site or neighbourhood scale can support more efficient and effective use of community resources (e.g., shared green space, rainwater management, community gardens) 
• Adoption of innovative solutions is hindered by outdated, risk-averse regulations, which are often designed for the lowest common denominator rather than encourage better or innovative approaches
• Integration of cultural safety, lived experiences, intergenerational connections and community building is needed in housing (re)design

Illustrations

Table 1

Townhouse complex retrofit

Key features: repurposing the pool into a bioswale, redeveloping existing townhouses to a community amenity and commercial space, creating a community space in the middle of the complex with a playground, and creating community resiliency through communal gathering areas and green spaces.

Table 2

Low-rise walk-up apartment retrofit

Key features: reclaiming covered parking spaces into outdoor amenities (e.g., patio space), energy upgrade on the roof, green space replacing asphalt for cooling, creating clubs for kids, potlucks and integrated intergenerational communities, creating spaces where residents feel safe and supported.

Table 3

Low-rise walk-up apartment retrofit

Key features: tall trees to manage extreme heat, nature play space, green parking, flexible indoor/outdoor amenity spaces – transforming parking spaces into outdoor space for picnics/BBQs, nature buffer to decrease road noise and manage stormwater.

Table 4

Twenty-storey tower retrofit

Key features: turning pool into bioswale, permeable pavers for accessibility, playground, adding more Indigenous plants, fruit trees, transform tennis court into multi-sport space, lending library, indoor/outdoor amenity space shaded in the summer, bike storage at grade.

Table 5

New build on city-owned suburban land

Table 6

Twenty-storey tower retrofit

Key features: adding a cafe on the grounds to serve the neighbourhood with a green roof (stewardship opportunity), amenity room above the cafe to offer cooling spaces, bike care stations, rain gardens, dog park.

Table 7

Low-rise walk-up apartment building retrofit

Key features: communal rooftop upgrade with greenhouse, active gardening; external third-party partnerships to ensure gardening among tenants continues, updating entrance to offer natural light, orchard, outdoor play area for kids, sharing library (seeds, objects, books), entryway to spill out into the street with elements that force people to slow down.

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