Migrant Workers Housing

Courtney Mowat & Sara Veltman

Andrew’s Scenic Acres offers employment and accommodation to 6 immigrant workers yearly. This is an opportunity for them to make a salary they couldn’t obtain in Mexico. We have proposed a new living quarters on their farm to improve their overall well being. For our proposed design solution we explored the use of shipping containers as residential spaces.

The use of re-used shipping containers promotes sustainable and efficient living. We also planned to integrate solar panels or use the power being generated from the existing solar panels on the farm in order to lower costs and promote sustainability. We will also propose a water system which filters water from the pond on the farm in order to supply water for the new plumbing fixtures in a sustainable way. The workers will have an improved quality of life, proper heating and cooling, comfortable furniture, as well as a happy and healthy state of mind.

“Home away from Home” Since the workers are coming from different areas in Mexico to work in Canada for just 6 months of the year, we wanted to create a space that made them feel more comfortable being away from home. We created a functional and comfortable space that offers social areas, promoting community as well as individual rooms to allow for privacy. We incorporated design elements that resemble home including forms and materiality inspired by spanish architecture.