Adaptable Densification
Addapt was developed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design in response to the need for attainable urban housing in British Columbia’s lower mainland.
We believe that architecture, and housing in particular, must be easily adaptable over time - while also accommodating the necessary movement towards gentle densification of existing single-family neighbourhoods.
Cities across North America are implementing new zoning bylaws to encourage a broader range of housing choices in low-density neighbourhoods. The future of sustainable urban development are ground-oriented dwellings as the foundation of diverse, walkable communities.
Social Capital
The social interactions and personal networks that inspire trust and reciprocity in a community are its social capital. People with higher levels of social capital are more active in their community, are more politically involved - they live longer, healthier lives with a higher propensity to volunteer and contribute. Communities with higher social capital have less crime and higher economic potential.
The built environment materially impacts social capital. The way we design and build our neighbourhoods either encourages or discourages social ties. Walkable neighbourhoods with ground-oriented homes enhance social capital and the quality of life and opportunity in those communities
Addapt Awards
WINNER 2023 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARD OF MERIT
WINNER 2024 ARCHITIZER A+ AWARD - UNBUILT PRIVATE HOUSE LESS THAN 3,000 sf
Leckie Studio Architecture + Design
ADDAPT
Leckie Studio is an interdisciplinary design studio based in Vancouver, Canada. The practice was founded in 2015 as a platform to craft singular, thought-provoking and imaginative architectural work. The studio is conceived as a vehicle for creative speculation, combining architecture and creative entrepreneurship to expand the boundaries of traditional architecture practice through research, client commissions and self-initiated projects.
Land supply in Vancouver is a big problem. Low density neighbourhoods make up 50% of Vancouver’s land area, significantly constraining supply. Rigid and overly complex zoning regulations have discouraged the development of ‘missing middle’ homes - ground-oriented housing types that are compatible in form and scale to detached single-family homes - including duplexes, multiplexes, townhomes and live-work spaces.
This is a pervasive challenge. The majority of cities across North America are grappling with how to encourage the development of affordable housing.
Vancouver
GENTLE DENSIFICATION
What Vancouver Is Doing
Set to come into effect in January 2024, The City of Vancouver is pursuing an aggressive strategy to standardize requirements across all RS zones, increasing design choice and flexibility while improving permitting efficiency and creating capacity for new housing options. Ultimately this means that multiple dwellings can be built on one single family lot.
Gentle Densification
Like many cities are now proposing, Vancouver is allowing for the gentle densification of neighborhoods which will enable more supply of community orientated homes in walkable neighborhoods.
How Addapt Helps
Addapt’s prefabricated, component-based approach to construction is more efficient and adaptable to homeowner needs. Addapt’s four-unit maximum per lot is compatible with Vancouver’s proposed Simplified Single Family (RS) Zoning Regulations.
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001. Adaptable House
Addapt .001 is designed to evolve with your needs over time. Inspired by a Japanese ‘Bento’ lunchbox within which individual compartments are contained, Addapt .001 dwellings can be added and/or reconfigured as your housing needs change.
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002. Accessory House
Leveraging Addapts’s component based design system and a highly repeatable approach to prefabrication and assembly, our .002 Accessory House addresses the need for equitable homes that can be successfully built in urban laneways.
Let’s build together
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