BC Builds Cranbrook Project Hopes to Catalyze a New Urbanism in Downtown Cranbrook

Projects like BC Builds Cranbrook signal a broader evolution in smaller urban centers, where design quality is no longer secondary to affordability. Instead, it’s essential. From site planning to building form, architectural decisions directly influence how these developments integrate into existing neighborhoods and support long-term growth. Beyond the brief of the project, JIM architecture proposed additional urban strategies, which align with the directives identified in the City’s Downtown Revitalization Master Plan, to enliven the area and act as a catalyst for future projects.

Context Plan - Existing

Context Plan - Proposed

The project aims to develop a cost-effective, sustainable housing model while enhancing the urban setting. The site presented many challenges, including a lack of street frontage, an easement that bisects the site, a one-storey topographic change from east to west, and a non-orthogonal property line. The result is a stepped rectangular volume pushed to the southernmost extent of the site along a new pathway connecting the Baker Park field (and ice rink) and the Seniors Centre. The project further imagines how it may be the beginning of a larger phased development of the Baker Park site.

Site Plan - Phase 1

1) Site access road, 2) Parking, 3) Trash Enclosure & enclosed bike parking, 4) Courtyard, 5) Pedestrian Plaza, 6) Baker park Access

Site Plan - Phase 2a

1) 1st St: Reduced street widths, 2) 1st St: Active design controls, 3) Site-wide: Controlled on-street parking, 4) Future development: Share surface, 5) Future development: Pedestrian streets, 6) Main access lane, 7) Baker gardens & 17th st: Reorient intersection & reduce street width, 8) Site-wide: Reduce paving at parking lot entries, 9) Enhanced natural planting areas, 10)Development opportunities

Site Plan - Phase 2b

1) 1st St: Reduced street widths, 2) 1st St: Active design controls, 3) Site-wide: Controlled on-street parking, 4) Future development: Share surface, 5) Future development: Pedestrian streets, 6) Main access lane, 7) Baker gardens & 17th st: Reorient intersection & reduce street width, 8) Site-wide: Reduce paving at parking lot entries, 9) Enhanced natural planting areas, 10)Development opportunities

Another key component of dense living is an improved urban landscape with better connectivity to the surrounding city. As mentioned, pushing the building to the south improves the project's visibility, a key component to the success of the ground-level commercial unit. The benches and seating on a small plaza in front of the CRU entrance could eventually lie on a new lane connecting Baker Park Field to the Senior Centre. A courtyard to the north provides an additional seating area and an amenity space for the building's residents. Native plantings to buffer the surrounding residents and parking areas provide a low-maintenance, seasonal frame for these outdoor rooms.

Currently, in Canada, there is still a negative connotation with denser forms of housing relative to the dominant single-family housing. Yet as housing shortages become more acute, denser housing typologies are critical to meeting demand.  However, it cannot just be a question of building volume, but also of maintaining high quality and changing public perception of compact living. We believe our proposal will play an essential role in providing needed housing for the Cranbrook market and challenging preconceived ideas of what is possible.