First Place

Located on the threshold of the Mount Pleasant and South East False Creek neighbourhoods, First Place is a mid-rise affordable residential development providing 129 units of permanent housing. It was part of an innovative partnership between the City of Vancouver (land provider), the Province of BC (funding provider), and Lookout (operator) who manages the building and provides ongoing assistance to the residents. Designed to fit into its surroundings through a balance of residential expression of function and durability, the building was conceived as a home where residents are provided options for living, as well as options for privacy, individuality, socialization and learning, and with a sense of identity reflecting the community that lives there. The evolution of the project’s design was facilitated by integrated design workshops, where all aspects of energy efficiency, natural ventilation and water saving strategies were incorporated. The building sought to provide the utmost in areas of carbon neutrality, energy, reduction of fossil fuels and other LEED requirements, in as far as possible within budgetary constraints.