Length: 1 CEU
Topic: Advanced Technology
Delivery Mode: Online On-Demand
What's Included: Video, Quiz, & Certificate
Registration Fee: Members $50 | Intern $35 | Student $25 | Non-Member $75
This webinar is part of the RAIC 2025 Conference on Architecture!
Join Vancouver-based practitioners Happy Cities, FLUID Architecture, and Hey Neighbour Collective to explore innovative tools for designing socially connected multi-unit housing communities. In the face of growing challenges—including an acute housing affordability crisis, extreme weather, social isolation, and an aging population—our social connections are one of the strongest resources we have to chart a more sustainable, resilient path forward. Research highlights the importance of designing common areas—such as amenities, circulation spaces, and outdoor zones—to foster positive neighborly interactions and promote belonging. Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective will share examples from the Building Social Connections toolkit, developed with architects, housing providers, planners, and policymakers. FLUID Architecture will demonstrate the FLUID sociability tool, which leverages AI and gaming technology to model interaction patterns within buildings. As Canadian cities tackle the challenge of denser housing, this session will equip architects with the knowledge to create strong, resilient communities for all.
Analyze design best practices that promote social well-being in multi-unit housing by examining real-world case study projects.
Evaluate how technology, including sociability tools, can support architects in planning and designing housing that fosters social interaction and well-being.
Assess how intentional design for social connection can address challenges such as social inclusion, equity, aging in place, and community resilience.
Examine policy tools used by British Columbia municipalities to support community-building, sustainability, and inclusion in multi-unit housing developments.
Subject Matter Experts:
Madeleine Hebert
BEnvD, MArch, Intern Architect AIBC
Senior Housing Specialist, Happy Cities
Madeleine leads housing research and policy projects at Happy Cities, working with professionals and communities to develop solutions to improve social connectedness, resilience, and wellbeing. Her work promotes collaborative approaches and ensures that spaces provide equitable opportunities for everyone. Madeleine uses her experience designing projects across British Columbia to promote evidence-based housing solutions that support social and economic sustainability. Her educational background includes a multidisciplinary Environmental Design degree from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Architecture from Carleton University.
Bruce Haden
Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP
Principal, Fluid Architecture
Bruce Haden is the leader of FLUID Architecture in Vancouver, Canada. His architecture focuses on interaction, indigeneity and intimacy. To support human connection through interaction, Bruce led the creation of the FLUID Sociability software tool. Prior to founding FLUID Architecture, Bruce led multiple high-profile projects as partner at Human Studio and Dialog (formerly Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden), including the globally published and awarded; Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts, UBC Student Nest Building (with B+H) and Vancouver House Tower (with the Bjarke Ingels Group). Bruce brings a wide breadth of housing design experience, including local Vancouver housing projects. Bruce is a founding board member of the Urbanarium, has twice chaired the City of Vancouver Urban Design Panel, chaired the UBC Design Review Panel and assisted both Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto in setting up Design Panels.
This webinar is in English. Closed captions have been provided in both English and French.
Pricing
Member: $50 / Non-Member: $75
Intern Member: $35 / Intern Non-Member: $75
Student: $25 (must be an RAIC student associate member)