Covenant House Vancouver (CHV) is the main provider of residential and outreach services for unhoused and at-risk youth in Vancouver. This new building for CHV provides an expansion of existing programs including an enlarged drop-in program and a short-stay sanctuary program for youth in crisis.
Covenant House achieves a significant level of environmental sustainability, and is registered to achieve LEED Gold (LEED Canada BD+C NC 2009). Sustainable design strategies include: Optimized exterior wall assemblies / low window-to-wall ratio; High degree of daylighting; Energy recovery ventilation; Reduced lighting power density; and Reduced domestic water usage.
Jury Comment – “This project, which provides residential accommodation and a range of support services for youth at risk, balances its strong social agenda with a high level of environmental performance. On a tight urban infill site and an equally tight budget, the design nonetheless manages to achieve high levels of natural light throughout, as well as providing attractive communal spaces for its occupants and visitors. A low window to wall ratio and a high-performance envelope, underpin a durable, low maintenance solution that ensures maximum funds can be made available for youth programs.”