Uncovering Neighbourhood Land & Building Development Projects in Vancouver: The Sen̓áḵw Project
Emily Van Ryn - April 2, 2021
The development project I chose to explore is the monumental $3 billion Sen̓áḵw Project,
proposed by Westbank Development and approved by the Squamish Nation in 2019. This
housing project will be the largest development of Indigenous lands in Canada and is set to
create 6,000 units across 11 towers on 10.5 acres of land reserved for the Squamish Nation.
Though around 200 units will be reserved as discounted suites for Indigenous persons, the units
will be open to all Vancouver residents for rental. The Squamish Nation gave their approval for
the project after holding a vote in which 87% of their voters approved of this plot of land to be
leased for the next 120 years, and 81% of voters voted in favor of partnering with Westbank
Development, with whom they will split revenue generated by the housing project 50/50.
According to the Sen̓áḵw official website, the project will place an emphasis on
integrating eco-friendly elements into both the design and construction of the project. Embracing
the ancestral and historically symbiotic relationship between the Squamish Nations and the land,
the project's design is inspired by the traditional craftsmanship and respect for nature that is so
deeply ingrained in Indigenous culture: “we can demonstrate how humanity and nature can
co-exist” (Sen̓áḵw).
The overall aesthetic of the project is organic in both lines and material. Differing from
the classic all-glass facade of the typical Vancouver tower, the design proposals for the Sen̓áḵw
Project all feature tall, uniquely shaped buildings complete with rounded balconies and garden
platforms of varying shapes and sizes. The glass that is present will mirror the skyline, making
for a smoother blend into the natural landscape surrounding the area.
The Sen̓áḵw Project is set to be the first net-zero carbon housing development of this
scale in all of Canada. The materials used in this project are outstanding as well. Rather than a
standard concrete construction project, the build will include 225,000 square feet of mass timber.
This is estimated to generate 50% less embodied carbon than a concrete build would.
Once constructed, the heating and cooling systems in the buildings will be powered with
waste heat from Vancouver’s sewer infrastructure. The towers themselves will have rooftop
gardens with plenty of other greens draped over balconies. Taking advantage of the coverage
offered by the Burrard Street Bridge, there will be restaurants, open courtyards, space for
recreation, a grocery store, and a childcare centre. Numerous walking and bike paths will be
constructed along with a revamping of streetcar and aqua bus services, making for a more
streamlined and sustainable transportation system.
Alongside sustainability, the project also prioritizes the speedy construction of all 6,000
housing units before the completion of the rest of the project. Though the entire project is
estimated to unfold in four phases across 15 years, the housing units are set to take just five years
to construct. This was a deliberate decision made with the aim of addressing the housing
challenges in downtown Vancouver.
Overall, this is a particularly interesting development project given that it is set to be built
on reserve land. Due to the Indian Act, this means the land is subject to some interesting rules
that differ from the rest of Vancouver. The city of Vancouver has no legal right to regulate what
is built on this land, nor can it be seized by any bank in the event of nonpayment. Another point
of interest is the motivation of the Squamish Nation for approving this project, as land disputes
are ongoing across Canada. As previously stated, 200 units will be offered to Squamish Nation
members at discounted rates. On the Sen̓áḵw Project website, they write that
“the connection between humanity and nature has eroded, and as a result our care
and respect for the ecosystem has eroded. We are destroying our planet. We must
start over -- with a sense of urgency. Our community was once situated on this
very land. We will rebuild a community here that respects nature and will share it
with the world.”
This is an incredibly important and exciting reason to build, as the relationship between land,
nature, and people cannot be separated and is one that indeed determines our future on Earth.
Although the project is set to begin sometime in 2021, and it will take an estimated 15 to 20
years to complete, this is a huge and incredibly hopeful project that I look forward to seeing
completed someday.
Bibliography
Lee-Young, J. (2019, December 11). Squamish nation Approves $3-BILLION housing project in
kitsilano. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/squamish-nation-approves-3-billion-housingproject-
in-kitsilano
Sen̓áḵw. (n.d.). Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://senakw.com/
Squamish nation Approves $3 billion housing project in kits. (2019, December 11). Retrieved
April 01, 2021, from
https://www.kitsilano.ca/2019/12/11/squamish-nation-approves-3-billion-housing-project
-in-kitsilano/
