The 50x100 lot is the building block of much of Canada’s cities. It is the ‘urban atom’ and the scale of the single family home. In Whitehorse, these lots are ubiquitous in the downtown core, part of the original subdivisions of the Yukon River valley into discrete parcels – for better or worse.

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The 50x100 series is a number of paper projects exploring the potential of the 50x100. As these lots are amalgamated, there is infinite potential to what can be developed. At 100x100, underground parking becomes feasible, at 150x100, towers are possible. In Whitehorse, development is limited to a 25m height in a small part of downtown, for much of the core only 20m or 6 stories are possible. These projects will ‘limit’ themselves by being bound to the 50x100, the City of Whitehorse Zoning Bylaw and the National Building Code of Canada. A limited paper project to see what is possible within the current boundaries of building. Limitations can be the fertile ground for greater creativity.

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The projects propose a new kind of density – a diagram for living that does not include double-loaded corridors. Multi-housing that provides a front door, outdoor space and an intimacy not found in typical typologies.  A density that is palatable to Yukoners who largely prefer the trees and sky to corridors and elevators. ​The Sixth and Cross project creates two housing massing blocks. These blocks create a raised court separated but connected to the street below. The court is afforded projection from the north and south winds, but is provided direct sunlight for much of the afternoon through evening in the shoulder seasons to summer. The two blocks give each dwelling unit a corner exposure. The main floor of the project is comprised of a screened parking area and a small corner commercial unit. As with much development the parking requirements are the limiting factor on potential densities.