Photo credit: Naquib Hossain
Figurr Architects Collective has unveiled 159 Forward Avenue, a 49-unit, multi-family affordable housing project for the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC).
The Passive House-equivalent project, which replaces a formerly decommissioned family shelter previously owned by the City of Ottawa, is located in the Mechanicsville neighbourhood, on the East side of Forward Avenue, between Burnside Avenue and Lyndale Avenue.

Photo credit: Naquib Hossain

This project is an example of a community-focused urban infill and provides affordable housing for the City of Ottawa. The building includes more than ten two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom family-focused units and provides 100 per cent accessible apartments and 16 barrier-free designed units. The units are rented at average market rates, below-market rates, and at shelter rates and the exterior includes a fully accessible rear yard amenity space that offers access to community gardens, secured covered bike storage, and social spaces.

Photo credit: Naquib Hossain
CCOC, a non-profit organization, with their project development arm, Cahdco, wanted a building that would be a showpiece for both sustainability and affordability.
159 Forward Avenue was designed to meet Passive House performance standards which reduce the environmental impact of the building and strain on the city?s energy consumption. It also recently passed its testing. The project is three times more efficient than the client?s...