YWCA-KW - Mary's Place

TWFP Architects & Engineers
Marina Huissoon – Project Architect

As a central component of the YWCA’s Second Century Campaign, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the YWCA organization in Canada, the original Women’s residence in Frederick Street, which has supported women in various capacities since 1912, is being renewed.

As an adaptive re-use, this project demonstrates the potential of a building to respond to changing needs. Built originally as a women’s residence, the YWCA has gone through almost 100 years of social change.

Currently in use as an emergency shelter for women, and a child care centre, the new program contemplates a new model of support for the residents of the shelter; one which provides privacy and dignity within a communal living model. Partial demolition of the building will allow a new internal courtyard to be created which encourages the shared social life of the residents.

Almost every aspect of this building’s infrastructure needed a new breath of life to reduce exorbitant maintenance costs and bring the building up to current day life and fire safety requirements.

The project is designed to meet the requirements of the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED program, demonstrating the YWCA’s goal of being an environmentally responsible organization. High performance roof, super wall and window insulation levels, low /no VOC finishes amongst many other environmentally sound design initiatives will produce a building ready to take on the challenge of a high energy cost environment.