I got a tour of the new Jubilee House under construction this March, when it was still hardhat and steel-toed-boot territory, because the people at the 127 Society for Housing wanted me to do what they were doing.
I’ve seen a lot of social-housing buildings in my 20-plus years covering this, but I have to say, I was really impressed with all the new ideas. I couldn’t fit them all into my story here, but they included new anti-bedbug measures, including a baking room for stuff that does get infested, design strategies that make it easier to fix burns and holes in floors and messes on walls, as well as several anti-flood mechanisms. Along with that, the new building includes a new kitchen for making group meals for tenants, a small store that sells basic supplies, and a new library.
BC Housing has already incorporated some of these ideas earlier, but is looking at others it might steal for future projects. Personally, as a mother, there were ideas that I would have liked to see in my own house when my son was at peak teen.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Lysenko's Nemesis // Aug 30, 2016 at 9:29 am
If you like it so much Frances, were you not interested in which architectural team designed it?
Neither here on your blog, nor in your Globe and Mail piece is the architectural firm mentioned.
I’m not an architect but I believe designers and all creators deserve credit and recognition for their work. Design, as you say, is important.
For those interested, the designer is GBL Architects of Vancouver.
2 francesbula // Aug 30, 2016 at 10:21 am
I’m a huge fan of Stu Lyon’s work and mention it whenever possible. I didn’t in this case, because the story wasn’t about the design but really the engineering. So my focus was on the two parties who drove that process: the 127 Society staff and the developer. However, you’re right, I could have thrown in their name at some point in the story.
3 25hours // Aug 31, 2016 at 5:27 pm
It would have been nice to see Frances write more positive articles a few years ago when there was such outcry and battle over the development of Jubilee House and the Brenhill development across the street. I’m so tired of seeing journalists jumping on the hater band wagon (joined by former planners like Michael Geller, Ray Spaxman, etc. who loved sharing their sound bites) and then seeing articles that now tout how wonderful the new building is.
Vancouver needs more affordable rental spaces and so I would like to see these people (journalists, former planners, neighbourhood residents) get more active in encouraging and supporting proposals that come up for affordable rental buildings instead of trying to block them or get caught up with the nimby’s, when they get proposed.
All the easy decisions have been made in Vancouver years ago by these former planners (including Larry Beasley). They had their opportunity to guide city policy and create lots of rental and affordable rental buildings back then but it wasn’t done. Now there are only tough decisions to be made and people need to step up and make these decisions. Hopefully the new head of planning, Gil Kelley, won’t get bogged down by the committee (set up by city manager Sadhu Johnston) led by Larry Beasley and other former planners who come in with their own personal agendas (and private companies). Funny that many of these former planners were often in the media saying the city planning department was too influenced by developers but now they are (with their own private companies) getting in there to guide the planning department. Hmmmm?
4 francesbula // Aug 31, 2016 at 6:48 pm
One of the great things about being a journalist is that there is never a shortage of people to shit on a person from all sides.
I’m guessing you missed my first story, which outlined the benefits:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/land-swap-proposal-addresses-needs-of-city-and-developer/article9756786/
Or this one that quoted the president of 127 Society about the devastating impact of the court ruling that stopped construction
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-residents-have-mixed-feelings-over-development-deal-ruling/article22695075/
or the generally positive coverage of social housing I have done for more than 20 years.
I know it would make you much happier if journalists never quoted anyone you disagreed with, but then that wouldn’t be journalism.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-residents-have-mixed-feelings-over-development-deal-ruling/article22695075/
5 25hours // Aug 31, 2016 at 9:01 pm
It’s not about not hearing people I might not agree with. It’s about putting out a positive message that is both hopeful and productive in this negative, egotistical world we live in. There is such a need for affordable housing in Vancouver and so many people that say they are all in favour of it….just not in their neighbourhood. We either all work together to make Vancouver a better city or we continue down the same path with negative articles and former planners complaining about everything the city or a developer puts forward.
I do look forward to reading what you think of these former planners (Larry Beasley et al.) taking over the city planning process and how their conflict of interest would not be appropriate. I and many people I have spoken to, look forward to seeing what Mr. Kelley will bring to the city from his previous experiences in Portland and San Francisco, preferably without the influence of former planners that already had their chance to affect change in Vancouver (when it comes to affordable housing and rental housing) and didn’t make it happen.