Haven Motel Reno

ADDRESS: 215 Garrison Rd, Fort Erie, ON

SIZE: 1,040 sq m

WORK: Individual

This proposal is a 1,040 sq meters renovation for Haven Motel in Fort Erie, Ontario, transforming it into a community-driven space providing affordable lodgings with natural light and food security for disadvantaged individuals.

The primary structural approach is to split the building to create the main pass, allowing residents and guests to enter the communal spaces, such as the kitchen and greenhouse. The implementation of skylights in each room allows their living space to become brighter, contributing to the prevention of residents’ depressive symptoms. All furniture is custom-designed with storage spaces, allowing residents to settle into and feel comfortable in their new homes. This innovative motel will upkeep 20 rooms of mixed rental arrangements, such as short-term and long-term stays. As well, the collaboration with farming businesses will allow the motel to be self-sustaining more than ever while also contributing to the community. In addition, residents can work in the greenhouse and vertical garden while living at the motel, providing stability to low-income residents. The design also respects the long history between the owner and the building by keeping most of the existing exterior appearance and space layout.