How can we create flexible modes of housing?
Nelson Laneways
Design
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
2019
As the demand for laneway and backyard infill housing increases across Canada and the American West Coast, both amongst homeowners, renters, and municipalities, this proposal seeks to provide 3 different high-quality options which may serve as “pre-reviewed” plans to make it easier and cheaper for the average homeowner to build a laneway house on their property.
WHAT
Flexible for unique uses
A core living area spreads diagonally across two floors and creating two flexible spaces running the opposite direction. The lower open room could house a garage, carport, in-law suite, or office space amongst other options. The upper level flex space can be an open patio, sunroom or a sleeping porch. The flexibility allows this laneway to accommodate whatever life changes happen for the residents.
WHERE
Flexible for unique sites
Designed for Nelson’s dramatic topography, this two-bedroom, two bath, two-story design shifts to meet the specifics of any site. The split design gives the project long-term flexibility as each unit can be used separately adding space for the adjacent house or as one large laneway
WHO
Flexible for unique people
Nelson is a diverse place where normal is whatever you want it to be and its housing should be no different. This one-story laneway provides housing for people of every stripe. In just one level the fully accessible structure provides all that is needed. Three thickened cores hold all the services, storage areas and the other necessities of dwelling leaving two large, flexible open areas in between.
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JIM
James Huemoeller, Kathy Oke