Call it the Vancouver Special 2.0.
In an effort to cut costs and build times on new housing, the B.C. government has released a set of free, standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit dwellings.
“Set housing designs mean that people will be able to build more beautiful homes in their communities, faster than ever before,” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said.
“We see huge potential in this and what’s vital is that every year we continue to expand the opportunity on these catalogues so we see a variety of types of homes in our communities.”
The new designs will invariably draw parallels to the iconic “Vancouver special,” a cookie-cutter single-family home design built in large numbers between the 1960s and 1980s and known for its low build cost and, because of its well-known dimensions, quick permit turnaround at city hall.
The province is releasing duplex, triplex, quadplex and townhouse designs. All of the designs comply with the latest B.C. building code, and can be customized for varying lot sizes.
The Ministry of Housing says the designs are based on “building blocks” that can be mixed and matched to add features including bedrooms and garages, and stacked up to three storeys.
The province has also released a variety of roof shapes and exterior finishes, along with designs for laneway homes and a “fully adaptable cottage suitable for aging in place.”
Local governments can also choose to fast-track approval of the designs to expedite permitting and development.
“We believe this set design takes away 80 percent of the work required to get the home through city hall to get approved,” Kahlon said.
But Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser University’s City Program, said B.C.’s surging real estate prices may prevent the designs from bringing prices down significantly.
“Underlying really is the cost of land, part of this is the challenge of affordability,” he said.
“These units may be buildable but at the same time there’s still an issue of affordability.”
A catalogue of the designs is available online.
It’s hoped the standardized designs will lead to quicker approvals and construction times as both builders and local governments get used to them.
The move follows legislation from the BC NDP government requiring municipalities provincewide to approve small-scale multiplex housing of at least four units along, with greater density near transit hubs.