The MET Nanaimo

The MET Nanaimo is a mixed use project composed of two multifamily residential buildings on a triangular shaped site. Phase 1 of the MET is a five storey multi-family residential building over an underground parkade with a commercial unit on the ground floor. Phase 2 of the MET is a five-storey multi-family residential building over a parkade. The buildings are separated by an internal road that connects with existing access roads and surface parking. The principal entry for each building is located along this internal street. Respecting the character of the street, Phase 1 of the MET has a secondary building entry located on Metral Drive, and another entrance for owners at the South East end of the main floor to provide a short cut to amenity shops such as the grocery store, butcher, bakery and gym spaces neighbouring the property. Several ground level units are also located along Metral drive, where the natural grade allows. To ensure privacy & security, these patio spaces have been provided a soft boundary of landscaping. The Metral Drive street edge is further animated with residential balconies overlooking the street and mountains beyond. Significant landscape elements including a stormwater bio-swale animate the streetscape terminating at a water feature adjacent to the commercial space located on the west end of Phase 1 of the MET. Green roof systems have been employed over the commercial space in Phase 1, as well as over the garbage and recycling enclosure. Phase 2 of the MET offers similar edge conditions in the North East corner of the site. Here, the building provides living space that looks over an existing parking plaza and neighbouring commercial buildings to the mountains and ocean beyond.

The form of the two buildings are defined by an articulated four storey mass contained by horizontal and vertical interconnected roof planes. Beyond these roof elements, the buildings step back, where a fifth floor of residential suites are located below another significant roof element. Phase 1 of the MET Nanaimo is sculpted in a manner that presents two major facade elements onto Metral Drive. Between these two forms, the roof plane folds down framing the location of a bio-swale and provides a location for taller trees. The west facade of Phase 1 addresses Metral Drive with a glassy commercial space at the plaza level. The multiple roof planes, projecting decks and facade recesses create an interesting form over the commercial space and plaza. Two large horizontal roof planes flank the principle entrance. The fifth floor is also recessed to reduce the massing. The full height of the building is expressed over the front entrance to emphasize its location. A second lower canopy with wood soffit and accent lighting is intended to provide whether protection and offer a luxurious entrance to the building. Phase 2 of the MET Nanaimo employs the same strategies of form and character. The South facade is expressed by two major forms, which are defined by the fourth floor roof plane. Between these forms, the front entry is defined. The North and West facades have been treated with similar building projections and recesses to generate a dynamic and interesting massing.

Location: Nanaimo, BC
Client: Windley Contracting
Size: 58 residences & 1 commercial suite
Completed: 2020