Vancouver’s EcoDensity Initiative 

Former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan encouraged laneway homes as part of an EcoDensity Initiative he introduced in 2007. “[D]ensity holds many keys to directly addressing climate change, and our city’s environmental impact – reducing greenhouse gas emissions through dramatically reduced auto reliance, more efficient use of urban land and existing infrastructure, improved viability of energy-efficient buildings and green energy systems, and more resilient and adaptable communities through a greater diversity of building types and land uses,” stated a summary about the program.

The Initiative inspired various businesses, organizations, and educational institutions, in conjunction with the City of Vancouver, to collaboratively design and construct sustainable laneway homes. One was the Mendoza Lane House by Lanefab Design/Build. The ModCube uniquely features modular construction. Modular homes, says Krahn, “last longer than conventional stick-frame houses for many reasons.”

“Because the components are built in a factory, the conditions are much more ergonomic, resulting in better conditions for the carpenters, resulting in better craftsmanship. Also, being built in a climate-controlled environment, the materials don’t suffer from exposure to the elements, which can trap moisture inside the building envelope or have materials expand and contract over time.”

While city government “forces us to be sustainable to some extent,” Krahn says, the ModCube can “fit on virtually any site, flat or sloped, at the top of a property or the bottom. It’s also a home that addresses a lot of demographics. And it’s modifiable.”

His ModCube, Krahn adds, “is one of the first laneway homes on the street. They create a sense of community on the back lane.” Jennifer Ingham, who rents Krahn’s ModCube, is one of her newest back-lane community members. “I know my neighbors. We enjoy talking about our delightful small homes.”

ModCube’s design includes nine-foot ceilings on the main floor and an open-concept first level. Custom, dimmable LED strip lighting in the living room divides this space from the rest of the open-plan living. The full-size kitchen includes quartz countertops and an island with a built-in dining table. The living area opens, via two sliding glass doors, to a private patio with porcelain pavers. The master bedroom, located on the upper level, has a rooftop deck with greenery and a cedar trellis. An ensuite bathroom serves both bedrooms.