Kobayashi + Zedda Architects was retained by the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, one of the First Nations upon whose traditional territory the City of Whitehorse is located, to develop the Riverbend Affordable Housing project.  The development is located centrally in Phase 1 of Whistle Bend in a zone designated specifically for multi-family housing. The site is near public transportation and recreational amenities and is bordered by a greenbelt to the North and multi-use trails to the East.

Development consists of three, two storey buildings, each with 14 units. These buildings are low scale to fit within the context of the growing Whistle Bend Neighborhood. Each building contains 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, providing a wide variety of housing options. Each unit includes in-suite laundry and storage as well as either an outdoor terrace or balcony area.

The buildings are oriented around a central park serving as a recreational area for residents; this includes pathways that connect to multi-use trails and municipal recreational areas. Parking is located at the perimeter of the site to maintain separation from the greenspace and provide convenient access for residents.

Design for this project was focused on creating an affordable and safe residential community with accessibility to transportation and recreational amenities while contributing to the diversity of Whistle Bend.