Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Downtown Kitchener

Two Story Apartment Conversion

Kitchener, ON

The Working Centre, a community-based non-profit organization, has successfully transformed two upper floors of a historic downtown Kitchener building into twenty-one modern apartment units, providing much-needed affordable housing for immigrant women and single mothers. Originally planned as a four-apartment initiative, the project expanded to include neighbouring structures, resulting in a total of 21 units. This ambitious endeavour revitalized the iconic Bricker Block, unifying multiple historic buildings to support newcomers in the Waterloo Region.

Collaborative efforts among The Working Centre and various organizations yielded remarkable results. Within just two weeks, 30 referrals were received, highlighting the urgent demand for such housing solutions. Buchanan & Hall is proud to have contributed to this significant project.

Central to our sustainability strategy is the implementation of advanced HVAC technology, in this case, featuring water-source heat pumps. These state-of-the-art heat pumps enhance energy efficiency while maintaining resident comfort by utilizing air-to-water technology to regulate the building’s water loop temperature, ensuring consistent heating and cooling throughout the year.

Additionally, the rooftop energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system enhances indoor air quality while minimizing energy consumption through modulated heating and cooling.

Today, residents of this revitalized building enjoy the benefits of sustainable and affordable living in the heart of Kitchener’s vibrant downtown district, thanks to our dedication to geothermal and HVAC excellence.