Big changes are afoot in residential neighborhoods across British Columbia. On November, 20, 2023, the provincial legislature adopted Bill 44. The bill gave municipalities until June 30 of 2024 to rewrite their residential zoning bylaws to allow more residential units to be built in areas traditionally reserved for detached single-family and duplex homes. On most properties, three to four units are now allowed, at minimum, but properties that are larger and nearer to transit are now allowed a minimum of six residential units. This sweeping change means that bedroom communities from Courtenay to Kelowna could start to look much different.
About This Exhibition
Cities across the province are starting to receive building permit applications fitted to their new zoning bylaws. In this time of new possibilities for architecture and design, the Field Collective asked its members to dive into the new rules to discover what unique opportunities for living together they make possible. Each architectural practice has chosen a municipality and proposed a design that conforms to the new SSMUH rules in that city. Among the design responses you’ll find a wide range of homes suited to all kinds of residents and neighbourhood conditions.
