Canada’s First Tall Timber Passive House Building Welcomes Residents in Vancouver

Indigenous families and individuals are moving into Canada’s first tall timber passive house building in Vancouver, BC, Construction Canada reported (5-20-26).

The Chief Leonard George Building was developed for the BC Indigenous Housing Society (BCIHS) and designed by GBL Architects. The nine-story mixed-use project includes 81 units and combines energy-efficient construction with Indigenous design principles.

The building delivers a 75% reduction in embodied carbon and greenhouse gas emissions through mass timber construction, including locally sourced timber floor panels and prefabricated CLT envelope panels. Passive house certification means the building is designed to consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

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

The development replaces a 27-unit property that was severely damaged by fire in 2017, adding 54 more homes and allowing former residents to return to the neighborhood.

Designers drew inspiration from Coast Salish culture, with the facade referencing a woven cedar basket to reflect traditional Indigenous basketry and craftsmanship. “Wood plays an important role for Indigenous communities, so the mass timber construction is significant to us,” said Brenda Knights, CEO of BCIHS.