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ICHI
A modern interpretation of Japanese design principles, Ichi, is a single-stair egress (point access block) multifamily which marries the serenity of Kanso and Shizen with Denver's urban vibrancy, creating a space where simplicity, nature, and community thrive.
This project is centered around a single-exit stairwell, strategically located at the heart of the site. The stairwell serves as a key organizational element, dividing the building mass into two distinct volumes. This design choice maximizes natural daylight, ventilation, and visual connections to nature for each dwelling unit, enhancing overall livability. Fully enclosed with fire-protected glass block walls, the stairwell doubles as an efficient corridor, seamlessly connecting the elevator to the rear units. It exits in two directions on a lushly landscaped second-story podium—one toward the fronting street and the other to the rear laneway—inviting residents to engage with the stair through its verdant design and dynamic interplay of light.
The podium level provides a multifunctional solution, freeing up the ground floor for essential building services and amenities. By reducing parking to just three car-share spaces, the design minimizes spatial demands while encouraging walkability and transit use, aligning with sustainable urban living goals. Ground-floor amenities include ample bike parking with a dedicated maintenance bay, a pet washing station, and creative studios for pottery, woodworking, crafting, and exercise, fostering healthy and community-oriented lifestyles.
Street-level activation is achieved through two accessible, on-grade units designed to support aging in place. These units, clad in timeless brick masonry, integrate harmoniously with the surrounding neighborhood while creating a pedestrian-friendly scale. This materiality grounds the architecture and provides a strong connection to the context.
The upper floors are uniformly stacked to optimize efficiency and flexibility. A three-bedroom unit fronting Emmerson Street includes an adaptable lock-off suite, offering versatile options for multigenerational living or supplemental rental income. The rear portion of the building accommodates five two-bedroom units and five one-bedroom units, each thoughtfully designed to balance spatial efficiency with market demands.
The roof level is conceived as a dynamic and healthy retreat for both residents and the building itself. Landscaped gardens and trees provide shading, stormwater management, and a serene space for relaxation. A sauna, oriented to frame striking views of the Denver skyline through an oculus, serves as a modern interpretation of an ancient social tradition, promoting community connection and wellness.
This design demonstrates how thoughtful planning and innovative solutions can transform a single property into a vibrant, sustainable, and highly livable urban development.
This project is centered around a single-exit stairwell, strategically located at the heart of the site. The stairwell serves as a key organizational element, dividing the building mass into two distinct volumes. This design choice maximizes natural daylight, ventilation, and visual connections to nature for each dwelling unit, enhancing overall livability. Fully enclosed with fire-protected glass block walls, the stairwell doubles as an efficient corridor, seamlessly connecting the elevator to the rear units. It exits in two directions on a lushly landscaped second-story podium—one toward the fronting street and the other to the rear laneway—inviting residents to engage with the stair through its verdant design and dynamic interplay of light.
The podium level provides a multifunctional solution, freeing up the ground floor for essential building services and amenities. By reducing parking to just three car-share spaces, the design minimizes spatial demands while encouraging walkability and transit use, aligning with sustainable urban living goals. Ground-floor amenities include ample bike parking with a dedicated maintenance bay, a pet washing station, and creative studios for pottery, woodworking, crafting, and exercise, fostering healthy and community-oriented lifestyles.
Street-level activation is achieved through two accessible, on-grade units designed to support aging in place. These units, clad in timeless brick masonry, integrate harmoniously with the surrounding neighborhood while creating a pedestrian-friendly scale. This materiality grounds the architecture and provides a strong connection to the context.
The upper floors are uniformly stacked to optimize efficiency and flexibility. A three-bedroom unit fronting Emmerson Street includes an adaptable lock-off suite, offering versatile options for multigenerational living or supplemental rental income. The rear portion of the building accommodates five two-bedroom units and five one-bedroom units, each thoughtfully designed to balance spatial efficiency with market demands.
The roof level is conceived as a dynamic and healthy retreat for both residents and the building itself. Landscaped gardens and trees provide shading, stormwater management, and a serene space for relaxation. A sauna, oriented to frame striking views of the Denver skyline through an oculus, serves as a modern interpretation of an ancient social tradition, promoting community connection and wellness.
This design demonstrates how thoughtful planning and innovative solutions can transform a single property into a vibrant, sustainable, and highly livable urban development.
Mosaic5
Titled Mosaic, the concept imbues the character of its competition winning infill design, providing a collective of ground-oriented dwellings nestled under a contiguous form. The project responds to the challenge to increase urban density in established neighbourhoods without the presence of rear laneways.
At its heart, Mosaic challenges what has become an all too typical recipe for infill housing. Where common solutions follow repetitive floorplates, this project seeks to widen its audience through diversity of unit types and sizes. Characterized by splitting the front and rear massing, the design mimics that of a single-family dwelling with carriage home, situated along a common, ribbon strip drive aisle. Private garages form a spine along this aisle, sheltering private outdoor living while offering necessary storage for inhabitants. Along the frontage, vegetation serves as a buffer between public and private spaces without the need for fencing or barriers.
The architecture was inspired by the farmstead vernacular of the region offering a timeless integration within its context through playful gabled rooflines, simplistic forms and natural textures. The variation of building height and density demonstrates sensitivity and restraint given recent zoning changes and illustrates the balance of living needs with attainability. Mosaic is a carefully considered, middle housing solution aimed at a diverse, and multigenerational audience.
At its heart, Mosaic challenges what has become an all too typical recipe for infill housing. Where common solutions follow repetitive floorplates, this project seeks to widen its audience through diversity of unit types and sizes. Characterized by splitting the front and rear massing, the design mimics that of a single-family dwelling with carriage home, situated along a common, ribbon strip drive aisle. Private garages form a spine along this aisle, sheltering private outdoor living while offering necessary storage for inhabitants. Along the frontage, vegetation serves as a buffer between public and private spaces without the need for fencing or barriers.
The architecture was inspired by the farmstead vernacular of the region offering a timeless integration within its context through playful gabled rooflines, simplistic forms and natural textures. The variation of building height and density demonstrates sensitivity and restraint given recent zoning changes and illustrates the balance of living needs with attainability. Mosaic is a carefully considered, middle housing solution aimed at a diverse, and multigenerational audience.
Mosaic6
6 unit infill
coming soon
coming soon
Homes for Health
Situated in Kelowna's vibrant Lower Mission neighbourhood, this 6-unit rental development offers a thoughtful approach to urban living. The site is strategically located near Kelowna General Hospital and Okanagan College, ideal for professionals, families, and students seeking proximity to key amenities. With construction and land prices at unprecedented levels, the project is designed to balance high-quality living with a modest budget, ensuring affordability without sacrificing function or style.
The three-storey design aligns with the city's goals for increasing density along active corridors, promoting sustainable modes of travel such as cycling and walking. Each ground-oriented unit features three bedrooms, open-concept living spaces, and a private garage, catering to the needs of modern families while maintaining a compact footprint.
The project is divided into two buildings forming a central courtyard, which serves as a multifunctional space for both pedestrians and vehicles. The courtyard integrates permeable surfacing, softening its appearance and creating an inviting environment. This shared space also includes a thoughtfully designed outdoor garbage and recycling area, discreetly screened to minimize visual impact while maintaining easy access. Private patios are separated to enhance residents' comfort and privacy.
The minimalist architecture prioritizes functionality and simplicity, while individuality is expressed through a vibrant palette of rose-toned hues. These subtle yet striking colours add energy and character to the active corridor, complemented by understated geometric elements that create visual interest without unnecessary embellishments.
This project responds to Kelowna's pressing need for new rental housing in key locations, delivering thoughtfully designed, sustainable homes in a highly desirable area. By focusing on affordability and environmental consciousness, it contributes to the city's vision for balanced and inclusive growth.
The three-storey design aligns with the city's goals for increasing density along active corridors, promoting sustainable modes of travel such as cycling and walking. Each ground-oriented unit features three bedrooms, open-concept living spaces, and a private garage, catering to the needs of modern families while maintaining a compact footprint.
The project is divided into two buildings forming a central courtyard, which serves as a multifunctional space for both pedestrians and vehicles. The courtyard integrates permeable surfacing, softening its appearance and creating an inviting environment. This shared space also includes a thoughtfully designed outdoor garbage and recycling area, discreetly screened to minimize visual impact while maintaining easy access. Private patios are separated to enhance residents' comfort and privacy.
The minimalist architecture prioritizes functionality and simplicity, while individuality is expressed through a vibrant palette of rose-toned hues. These subtle yet striking colours add energy and character to the active corridor, complemented by understated geometric elements that create visual interest without unnecessary embellishments.
This project responds to Kelowna's pressing need for new rental housing in key locations, delivering thoughtfully designed, sustainable homes in a highly desirable area. By focusing on affordability and environmental consciousness, it contributes to the city's vision for balanced and inclusive growth.
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