RJC joins the Reframed Lab – aimed to retrofit multi-unit residential buildings

RJC Engineers (RJC) is proud to be part of two design teams working on Reframed Lab. A project led by Reframed Initiative and in partnership with BC Housing, Reframed Lab aims to transform how to retrofit multi-unit residential buildings to remove climate pollution, decrease energy waste, improve health and safety, and increase resilience to extreme weather events.

Multi-disciplinary design teams are participating in the six-month Reframed Lab to design retrofit solutions for low-rise residential buildings in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Capital Regional District, and Sothern Interior. Residents of six buildings will benefit from the renovations performed by the six design teams, with support from their peers and experts.

Work is scheduled to begin in the fall 2022. The buildings' tenants will not be displaced from their homes during renovations, as most of the work will be on the buildings' exteriors.

RJC Principal Michael Blackman will lead his building science team on the Crossroads Inn retrofit - a concrete and steel low-rise, operated by ASK Wellness Society located in Kamloops.

RJC Principal Leon Plett will lead the structural engineering team on the Medewiwin retrofit - a wood-framed low-rise, operated by Pacifica Housing located in Victoria.

All six design teams, assigned buildings and locations are:

• RJC Engineers: Crossroads Inn, Kamloops, operated by ASK Wellness Society
• Evoke Buildings Engineering: Le Chateau, Coquitlam, operated by MVHC
• Williams Engineering Canada: Crown Manor, New Westminster, operated by MVHC
• Morrison Hershfield: Manor House, North Vancouver, operated by MVHC
• Entuitive: Dany Guincher Place, Vancouver, operated by Tikva Housing Society
• Low Hammond Rowe Architects: Medewiwin, Victoria, operated by Pacifica Housing

The City of Vancouver will be providing technical and regulatory guidance to support the work, which aligns with the city's climate and housing affordability goals. The cities of Kamloops, Coquitlam, New Westminster, North Vancouver and Victoria are also providing regulatory support for the projects in their communities.