Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government announced recently the upcoming launch of the Housing Design Catalogue, a new initiative aimed at standardizing housing designs, streamlining approvals, and expediting construction across Canada. The catalogue is set to debut in December 2024, featuring up to 50 conceptual designs to help address the country’s ongoing housing challenges.
The first iteration will feature up to 50 conceptual designs, including row housing, fourplexes, sixplexes, and accessory dwelling units. These designs were commissioned through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process and are expected to simplify construction and accelerate housing delivery.
Conceptual designs will include floor plans, illustrative drawings, and basic information about each of the proposed designs. This will be followed by permit-ready design packages in early 2025, which will include all the necessary drawings, specifications, and documents for how each design will be constructed and perform.
The packages will also include detailed construction cost estimates. Regional packages will be fully compliant with building code requirements.
Selected teams for the project include:
- MGA | Michael Green Architecture, which will develop designs specifically for British Columbia.
- LGA Architectural Partners Ltd., working with five regional teams to create designs for Alberta, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic region, and the North.
In addition to the catalogue, an open submission process has been launched, inviting the prefabricated housing industry to submit existing designs. This initiative seeks insights on innovative homebuilding techniques that can help address the ongoing housing crisis. Industry stakeholders have until Nov. 8, 2024, to respond.
Looking ahead, a competition for innovative mid-rise building designs is planned for November, which will inform future iterations of the catalogue.
Emphasizing the initiative’s importance, the government aims to build more homes quickly, ensuring that all Canadians have access to safe and affordable housing. The Housing Design Catalogue is intended to expedite approval processes and reduce construction costs.
Collaboration with provinces, territories, and municipalities is crucial, as access to federal funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund will depend on this partnership.
Budget 2024 allocated $11.6 million for the development of the Housing Design Catalogue, underscoring a commitment to streamline housing approvals and construction. The catalogue will provide conceptual designs, complete with floor plans and illustrative drawings, in December 2024, followed by permit-ready packages in early 2025, which will include detailed specifications and construction cost estimates.
This initiative positions the federal government to make significant strides in addressing the urgent need for housing across Canada.
