Location: Hamilton, ON
Client: Indwell
Year of Completion: 2016
Construction Budget: $2,300,000
Architect of Record: Invizij Architects
This project transformed a former rooming house in East Hamilton, previously a harbor for illegal and disruptive activity. The building now supports tenants with low incomes but higher needs, aligning medical and other professional services for tenants as they re-establish themselves in the community.
Building improvements included new roofing, windows, exterior insulation, cladding, and electrical/ HVAC upgrades. The unit sizes remained the same, but with new kitchens and other interior finishes. The main improvement of the building is in the comfort to tenants and resulting energy efficiency.
In order to provide supportive services, a 3,300 ft2 addition was added with a new entrance, common spaces, elevator, barrier free modifications, and other site improvements. The building is situated beside the pipeline trail, which is being improved by various community initiatives, and near Barton Street in East Hamilton. The new windows and playful patterns in the fiber cement cladding completely changed the context of this neighbourhood, the result of which was a Hamilton Urban Design and Architecture Award of Excellence.
