Ottawa, March 12th 2025 - The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) acknowledges the Government of Canada’s efforts to address the housing crisis through the Housing Design Catalogue initiative, administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). We recognize the urgency of delivering housing quickly and efficiently; however, the RAIC strongly advocates for architectural excellence, design adaptability, and environmental and social sustainability as essential components of any national housing strategy.
The Role of Architecture in Housing Solutions
Architecture plays a critical role in shaping resilient communities, fostering national identity, and ensuring that housing solutions are functional, equitable, and built for longevity.
The RAIC is concerned that a one-size-fits-all approach to housing design may not adequately address the diverse needs of Canadian communities. Standardized templates, while useful for expediting construction, risk overlooking local climate conditions, cultural contexts, community integration, and long-term sustainability considerations. The architectural profession is uniquely positioned to provide expertise and innovation to ensure that new housing developments meet both immediate needs and long-term objectives.
Key Considerations and Concerns
The RAIC urges the Government of Canada to incorporate the following principles into the Housing Design Catalogue initiative:
Rather than prescriptive templates, housing solutions should incorporate adaptive frameworks that allow for variation based on local site conditions, climate considerations, and community needs. Government incentives such as grants, tax benefits, or competitive design challenges should encourage the private sector to go beyond minimum compliance and deliver housing that meets high sustainability and design standards. Effective housing policy requires input from architects, urban planners, engineers, municipal authorities, and community organizations to create integrated, livable, and responsive developments. Additionally, a post-occupancy feedback system should be established to assess the performance, livability, and impact of housing models, ensuring that real-world data informs ongoing refinements.
Call to Action
Canada stands at a pivotal moment in addressing its housing affordability and availability challenges. While the RAIC supports the government’s commitment to accelerating housing development, we emphasize the necessity of ensuring that new housing is well-designed, adaptable, and sustainable for generations to come.
The RAIC has requested an opportunity to engage directly with CMHC, federal ministries, and key stakeholders to discuss how architectural expertise can be integrated into this initiative. We remain committed to offering our knowledge, resources, and professional insights to help shape a national housing strategy that reflects the best of Canadian design, fosters thriving communities, and contributes to a sustainable future.
For further information, please contact the RAIC via email at communications@raic.org. We welcome the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration to ensure that Canada’s housing solutions meet the highest standards of design excellence and public benefit.
About the RAIC
As the national voice for architecture in Canada, the RAIC represents a broad network of architects, academics, and industry professionals dedicated to the advancement of high-quality, context-sensitive, and sustainable design.
The RAIC has been engaged in an advisory capacity, offering expert guidance and best practices to support the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Qualifications (RFQ) processes related to the Housing Design Catalogue. Our focus is on advocating for design excellence, sustainability, and community well-being in housing initiatives. While we do not participate in procurement decisions or the selection process for contracts, we remain committed to ensuring that architectural expertise informs the framework, leading to high-quality, context-sensitive, and enduring housing solutions for Canadians.
The Role of Architecture in Housing Solutions
Architecture plays a critical role in shaping resilient communities, fostering national identity, and ensuring that housing solutions are functional, equitable, and built for longevity.
The RAIC is concerned that a one-size-fits-all approach to housing design may not adequately address the diverse needs of Canadian communities. Standardized templates, while useful for expediting construction, risk overlooking local climate conditions, cultural contexts, community integration, and long-term sustainability considerations. The architectural profession is uniquely positioned to provide expertise and innovation to ensure that new housing developments meet both immediate needs and long-term objectives.
Key Considerations and Concerns
The RAIC urges the Government of Canada to incorporate the following principles into the Housing Design Catalogue initiative:
- Context-sensitive design is essential for multi-family and community housing developments to adapt to regional climates, local zoning regulations, and community character. Standardized templates should allow for flexibility to integrate with existing neighborhoods, transit systems, and public spaces. While standardization can aid in efficiency, it must not come at the expense of design quality, environmental performance, and long-term durability. The success of Canada’s built environment depends on fostering innovation rather than limiting creativity through rigid design mandates.
- Housing designs must also prioritize energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and site-specific environmental strategies to align with Canada’s climate commitments. Passive heating and cooling, solar orientation, and resource efficiency must be embedded in design principles.
- Furthermore, the quality of housing directly impacts livability, affordability, and social well-being. The Housing Design Catalogue should reflect a commitment to creating inclusive, diverse, and accessible communities, ensuring that cost-effectiveness does not compromise housing quality.
Recommendations for an Effective Approach
The RAIC urges the federal government to adopt a collaborative, adaptable, and excellence-driven approach to the Housing Design Catalogue by ensuring that architects play a central role in shaping the catalogue’s design frameworks, ensuring that best practices, sustainability principles, and community needs are prioritized. The federal government has a unique opportunity to set a standard for quality housing design in Canada, ensuring that affordability and efficiency are balanced with long-term durability, aesthetic value, and functional performance.Rather than prescriptive templates, housing solutions should incorporate adaptive frameworks that allow for variation based on local site conditions, climate considerations, and community needs. Government incentives such as grants, tax benefits, or competitive design challenges should encourage the private sector to go beyond minimum compliance and deliver housing that meets high sustainability and design standards. Effective housing policy requires input from architects, urban planners, engineers, municipal authorities, and community organizations to create integrated, livable, and responsive developments. Additionally, a post-occupancy feedback system should be established to assess the performance, livability, and impact of housing models, ensuring that real-world data informs ongoing refinements.
Call to Action
Canada stands at a pivotal moment in addressing its housing affordability and availability challenges. While the RAIC supports the government’s commitment to accelerating housing development, we emphasize the necessity of ensuring that new housing is well-designed, adaptable, and sustainable for generations to come.
The RAIC has requested an opportunity to engage directly with CMHC, federal ministries, and key stakeholders to discuss how architectural expertise can be integrated into this initiative. We remain committed to offering our knowledge, resources, and professional insights to help shape a national housing strategy that reflects the best of Canadian design, fosters thriving communities, and contributes to a sustainable future.
For further information, please contact the RAIC via email at communications@raic.org. We welcome the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration to ensure that Canada’s housing solutions meet the highest standards of design excellence and public benefit.
About the RAIC
As the national voice for architecture in Canada, the RAIC represents a broad network of architects, academics, and industry professionals dedicated to the advancement of high-quality, context-sensitive, and sustainable design.
The RAIC has been engaged in an advisory capacity, offering expert guidance and best practices to support the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Qualifications (RFQ) processes related to the Housing Design Catalogue. Our focus is on advocating for design excellence, sustainability, and community well-being in housing initiatives. While we do not participate in procurement decisions or the selection process for contracts, we remain committed to ensuring that architectural expertise informs the framework, leading to high-quality, context-sensitive, and enduring housing solutions for Canadians.