The Regent Park United Church redevelopment is planned to be a lively and sustainable place for community. Located in Orillia, the project will add 48 new rental homes. The project has put a strong focus on outdoor landscaping, with the retention of nearly every tree on the site and the improvement of the existing forested area.

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. The design of the low-rise development, which includes a series of four blocks that house 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 for the ground floor units. There is one drive aisle that splits the property but only provides access to the housing and is designed to create a pedestrian-friendly space.

As with all Kindred Works projects, sustainability is core from the outset. The project targets an 80 per cent 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, the Regent Park Commons development will be a place that enables everyone – new residents, the existing community, and the wider neighbourhood – to unlock new opportunities.