Queenswood will be a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable place for community and living in the suburban setting of Orléans, Ottawa. The project expands the potential of the existing Queenswood United Church, adding 81 new rental homes and revitalising the church to provide an updated community space for the neighbourhood.
Considerate design, quality of life and accessibility are at the heart of the project’s vision. A third of the new rental homes will be available at below-market-rate, and the development will include the integration of the adjacent park, a new community garden, and the use of trees and native species to create additional green space.
The design of the low-rise development, which includes a series of eight blocks that house a mixture of three-storey townhouse units and three-storey walk-up apartment units, embraces responsible building practices and is sympathetic to the landscape of the surrounding neighbourhood and its current community.
Accessibility and safety have been considered across the development, with barrier-free entrances to townhouses and the church, and a one-way road that reduces vehicle speeds and creates a pedestrian-friendly space. Building materials have been chosen to complement the local area – each block will be constructed with wood and will feature brick exteriors and durable metal roofs.
As with all Kindred Works projects, sustainability is core from the outset. The project targets an 80% reduction in embodied carbon against industry standard, and the design uses Passive House principles to enable low energy use throughout the building’s life. This approach extends to residents too – the apartments will make the most of passive ventilation and daylight to create a healthy living environment.
With a considerate, people-focused design, a commitment to responsibility across every action, and a location with both a vibrant history and a bright future, Queenswood will be a place that enables everyone – new residents, the existing community and the wider neighbourhood – to unlock new opportunities.
