40 WASKAGANISH HOUSING UNITS
Combining efficiency and sustainability: the use of wood and the modular prefabrication process. In northern Quebec, harsh climatic conditions and limited resource availability were major issues considered from the earliest stages of the design of the 40 housing units in Waskaganish and Mistissini, built by the Humà team in consortium with Régis Côté and the ATSH. This project aims to accommodate short- and medium-term residents in order to efficiently serve northern communities. Located on a site with low load-bearing capacity, the project was shaped from the outset by essential structural considerations.
"The soil's load-bearing capacity and economic factors guided our choice of a modular prefabricated wood structure." — Anne-Catherine, Project Manager, Designer. The choice of wood was made not only for its physical properties—lightness, durability, low thermal transmittance—but also for conceptual and cultural reasons. Wood, through its symbolic proximity to nature, is of particular importance to the Cree communities of Waskaganish and Mistissini.
CLIENT :
CCSSSBJ
Cree Board
of Health and
Social Services
of James Bay
LOCATION :
Waskaganish, QC
YEAR :
2025
AREA:
3,670 m2
on 2 floors
DISCIPLINE :
DESIGN D'INTÉRIEUR, ARCHITECTURE, DÉVELOPPEMENT URBANISTIQUE
PHOTO/3D :
Quentin Bronnec
Modular prefabrication was chosen to optimize construction efficiency on site. This method allows for factory-controlled quality control of the building envelope, including the installation of air/vapor barriers, insulation, and windows. In northern environments, where construction site conditions are unfavorable nearly three-quarters of the year due to extreme cold and winter storms, prefabrication significantly reduces the risk of water infiltration and frost before the envelope is completely closed. However, the modular prefabricated wood structure also presents certain challenges. Transporting the units by truck requires precise dimensions, which directly influences the design of the housing units.
These adopt an elongated rectangular shape, with each module incorporating a corridor section. For universally adapted housing, assembly requires a "zipper"—a critical joint that will be addressed on-site during final assembly (see Figure 1). The design of the plumbing and ventilation also required special consideration. Unlike standard buildings where ducts can be grouped in vertical shafts, the modular wooden structure requires a different management of their passage.
Despite these constraints, the team collaborated with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CSSBJ) to develop an architecture that reflects Cree cultural identity. Inspired by the traditional Shaputuan dwelling, this design features an exterior cladding reminiscent of stretched canvas, as well as massive glulam columns, which will be installed on-site by local labor.
DESIGN TEAM:
HUMÀ DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE,
RÉGIS, ATSH/ATKINSRÉALIS
