30 Transitional Housing Units
Built from Repurposed Shipping Containers
Hey Neighbour
The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. But for some, particularly the unhoused—and the soon to be—it has magnified existing stresses.
A housing affordability crisis and a mental health epidemic have been exacerbated by the pandemic and as a result, shelters closed, leaving many without a home, requiring them to live in tent communities in parks throughout Victoria.
In December 2020—together with the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness—we launched an innovative campaign 'Hey Neighbour' to raise the funds required for the construction of Tiny Homes Village in the North Park neighbourhood.
Seeking $500,000 to support the capital expenses required to build 30 tiny homes, we collaborated with a successful videographer from Lot2 Media—B. Joel Cran—who volunteered to film a video in support of the fundraising campaign.
In less than three months, we raised over $500,000 from more than 580 individual donors.
$500,000+
Crowdfunded in less than three months time
580+
Individual donors including local citizens
Tiny Homes
Although portable in nature, Tiny Homes Village is temporarily occupying the 25,670 sqft portion of Royal Athletic Park’s parking lot.
Each of the Tiny Homes has been constructed to the highest standard of comfort.
Local architect D’Ambrosio Architecture donated planning and urban design services for the project and RJC Engineers offered structural engineering and building enclosure services, all to ensure these homes are built to the highest standard of liveability for the residents who have spent the last year living outdoors in inclement West Coast conditions.
Address
940 Caledonia Ave
Project Timeline
6 Months
Number of Homes
30
Average Home Size
+/– 100 sqft
Amenities
Bed, Wardrobe, Fridge. Each home is heated, insulated and ventilated for user comfort.
Common Amenities
Washrooms & Shower, Office & Common Space, Storage, Communal Garden, Bike Parking
The site is managed by experienced operations provider Our Place Society, with funding support from BC Housing.
Donors
Thank you to the citizens & small businesses of Victoria. 580+ individual donors, helping us raise over $500,000 in less than three months.
Aryze Developments
Discounted GC Fee, Labour Contributions, Monetary Donation
Capital Iron
Off-Site Construction Staging (for metal fabrication, framing and insulation)
D'Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism
Planning & Urban Design Services
RJC Engineers
Structural Engineering and Building Enclosure Services
Donn Mann Excavating
Excavating and Backfill
TELUS
Monetary Donation
Coastal Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps Supply & Install
Houle Electric
Electrical Services
Mike Geric Construction
Monetary Donation
Big Wheel Burger Community Foundation
Monetary Donation
Starlight Developments
Monetary Donation
Dodd's Furniture & Mattress
Mattress Donation
Victoria Shipping Containers
Shipping Container Supply
Biophilia Design Collective
Landscaping
United Engineering
Metal Fabrication
Home Lumber & Building Supply
Building Material Supply
Benjamin Moore
Paint Supply
Broadmead Care Society
Side Tables & Wardrobes
RestWell Sleep Products
Bed Linens
E.H. Price
Exhaust Fans Supply
The Painting Dept.
Painting Services
Knights Insulation
Insulation Materials
Dave Spiers Plumbing & Heating
Plumbing & Gas
S. Laursen & Son Draperies & Blinds
Window Coverings
Gescan
Lighting
Signify
Lighting
Graphic FX
Unit Signage
Art & Media
To further integrate Tiny Homes Village in the vibrant North Park neighbourhood, the exterior walls of the community display mural art created by three local artists—Kay Gallivan, Lydia Beauregard and Caitlin McDonagh.
- Interbeeing is a visual story that illustrates how different beings find and think about their homes. Emphasizing that having a home is an integral part of being alive, the art encourages us to consider our homes as a part of a larger community.
- Colour palette was devised with the intention of warming up and brightening the original colour of the containers. Coral and golden hues bring out the warmth in the colour, white provides a nice highlight, and muted seafoam and periwinkle rounds it all out.
- The ideation for interior mural art was developed in collaboration with the Tiny Homes Village residents and will continue the Interbeeing motives, reflecting on what home means to the residents. The art work is set to resume in the new year, as soon as the health situation related to COVID-19 improves.
The filmmakers from Lot2 Media—creators behind the moving crowdfunding video—followed us along on the six-month-long journey from conception to completion, exploring the critical importance of providing housing for all citizens.
Featuring interviews with BC Housing Minister David Eby and Robin Mazumder—an environmental scientist studying the psychological impacts of urban design—the documentary film called “Tiny Town” has already been recognized as the Best Documentary at Toronto Film and Script Awards.
While the film won’t be officially released until May 26, 2022, we’re thrilled to share the trailer of this award-winning documentary created by B. Joel Cran.
Awards
Innovation in Affordability
UDI Awards for Excellence
Aryze Philosophy
We’re an integrated home building, development and urban planning team committed to increasing the quality of homes and communities in Victoria, BC.
Using traditional building methods, innovative construction technologies and intelligent design, we deliver thoughtful living environments to people who will call Aryze homes their own. In our commitment to building healthy resilient communities we realize projects that create a lasting impression and shape our city in a positive way.