Indigenous families and individuals are now moving into Canada’s first tall timber Passive House building in Vancouver. A Passive House certification guarantees that buildings consume up to 90 percent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

The Chief Leonard George Building, located at 1766 Frances Street, sets a new benchmark for low-carbon, culturally grounded housing in the city.

Developed for the BC Indigenous Housing Society (BCIHS) and designed by GBL Architects, the nine-storey, 81-home mixed-use building combines energy-efficient construction with Indigenous design principles. It delivers a 75 percent reduction in embodied carbon and greenhouse gas emissions through mass timber construction, including locally sourced timber floor panels and prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) envelope panels, along with Passive House certification.

“The Chief Leonard George building stands proudly as a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” says Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

The development replaces a 27-unit property damaged severely by fire in 2017. The building adds 54 more homes and offers former residents the opportunity to return to their neighbourhood.

Designers drew inspiration from Coast Salish culture. The facade references a woven cedar basket, reflecting traditional Indigenous basketry and craftsmanship. The use of mass timber also carries cultural significance.

“Wood plays an important role for Indigenous communities, so the mass timber construction is significant to us,” says Brenda Knights, chief executive officer of BCIHS.