Modern building with retail storefronts on a city street, people walking, biking, and cars parked nearby, autumn trees in background.

1954 e 43rd Avenue

The building at 1965 E 43rd Avenue has served its community continuously since 1965. Its façade of 1” square brown tiles, repeatedly repainted stucco, and improvised repairs are familiar textures in Vancouver, often signalling buildings destined for demolition. the owner values continuity and has the modest goal to maintain affordable housing, but To continue serving its community, the building required a comprehensive overhaul.

The design adopts a pragmatic approach to adaptive reuse, maximizing the existing structure through new technologies with minimal change to building form. The original simplicity is reinforced by replacing failing stucco with durable, recyclable, non-toxic, break-formed steel cladding. Recessed areas—at CRU entries are articulated with textured panels, subtly revealing the building’s core.

Inside the residential units, the concept of “simple exterior, lively interior” continues at a finer scale. Consolidated cabinet blocks create efficient kitchens that integrate study, cooking, and laundry, while recessed areas reveal warm wood shelving. expanded windows improve daylight, airflow, neighbourhood connection, and express the lively apartment interiors of every unit.

 

Location: Vancouver, bc

status: in-progress

designed by: f2a architecture ltd

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