St. Mark’s Place

Nominated for the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse: Large-Scale/Team/Corporate

Indwell’s St. Mark’s Place is an uplifting example of adaptive reuse for social purpose. It provides a new option for supportive housing in Kitchener, directly addressing the encampment and homelessness crisis many are unfortunately experiencing at this time. Located on King Street West between a high school and a hospital, and directly on the new LRT line in Kitchener, the former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is perfectly situated for supportive housing. The project demonstrates that the reuse of existing buildings can reduce construction costs and shorten construction time. The rehabilitation provides 43 affordable apartments, while maintaining most of the original sanctuary for community gatherings and events. Like all Indwell housing projects, St. Mark’s Place includes accessibility measures and is built to Passive House standard.  To achieve these goals without impacting heritage features, Invizij Architects devised creative ways of retrofitting the existing structure.

By transforming a former Place of Worship for supportive housing, Indwell provides a model for a socially responsible and sustainable approach to our built environment. The continuity of purpose achieved at St. Mark’s Place is remarkable and inspiring. The transformation of the former church goes beyond the preservation of physical fabric, it preserves the intangible qualities associated with it, so that charitable activities and social services can continue within its historic walls.

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