Located in the Waterdown community in Hamilton, the St. James United Church redevelopment will be a lively and sustainable place for community. The project will feature new rental homes that frame the site, with the retained church and a new daycare facility in the centre. Public gathering space is key to this low-rise development, with multiple outdoor spaces including a new community garden for residents, a central landscaped area, and the use of trees and native species to create additional green space.

The development, which includes a mix of unit types, embraces responsible building practices while being sympathetic to the landscape of the surrounding neighbourhood and its current community. The site is connected by a central green axis, with outdoor spaces and programming all aligned along this central spine, including an arrival plaza in front of the church, a large central landscape that includes an open lawn, playground and seating spaces, and the new community garden for residents.

Accessibility and safety have been considered across the development, with the inclusion of barrier-free access across the site, and a focus on creating pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Sustainability is core to the project, which targets an 80 per cent reduction in embodied carbon against industry standard. Additionally, the design uses Passive House principles to enable low energy use throughout the life of the buildings and enabling passive ventilation and daylight to create a healthy living environment. In the landscape, hardscapes have been designed to utilize lower carbon, permeable alternatives wherever possible.

Construction is anticipated to start in early 2024.

St. James is one of many Kindred Works projects we’re working on with KPMB to introduce sustainable mixed-income rental housing strategies on urban infill properties across Canada.