The new regulatory mechanism for laneway housing may hold some, however limited, potential for sheer densification in single-family districts. In this project, however, we are choosing to focus on the very notion of placing a dwelling occupancy in the rear yard – a design move which may, in itself, spawn new and exciting architectural and urbanistic types. The Vancouver rear yard is often relegated to a secondary position in the residential program; our approach effectively re-colonizes it for the benefit of the primary living spaces.
There are several design mechanics operating here. Firstly, the common sectional configuration of the house with a secondary suite, whereby the primary living space is lifted into the air while the secondary programs inhabit the ground plane, is aggressively reversed. This reversal radically changes the sectional power dynamic between owner and renter in the renter's favour, but hopefully makes up for it by reconnecting primary living spaces to the exterior. Secondly, the prohibition against building in the rear yard is given a slight relax¬ation, in order to fully explore the potentialities of occupying the yard with primary program. Finally, the site itself is subdivided into two smaller lots. Aside from the obvious density increase (which is particularly relevant given that the location of the site near a commercial avenue with rapid transit suggests a demographic make-up which might be supported by denser residential space), the main advantage of subdivision is that the resultant narrowness of the lots provides a useful laboratory for the exploration of the project's aims, since the tight configuration of spaces could be easily expanded at a pure benefit.
In summary, we strongly feel that, given the density limitations of single-family zoning, the relegation of yards to the status of either monument (front), circulation (side) or secondary / accessory program (rear) is the aspect of the typical Vancouver house which holds the most potential for architectural re-evaluation. The proposed project examines one of these conditions, but its real intent is to spark debate about the yard issue as a whole.
(From competitor's text)
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