R E N OVATO R S’ c o r n e r
UNLOCKING ADU POTENTIAL XXXXX Smallworks
BY SARAH CARON, DIRECTOR, RENOVATION SERVICES, CHBA
A
ccessory dwelling units (ADUs) are quickly gaining attention as a possible answer to Canada’s housing challenges, offering flexible, compact spaces for families, renters and communities. Cities across the country are wrestling with housing affordability and densification while the housing industry faces acute labour shortages and escalating material costs. CHBA renovators and custom builders are getting approached more and more about building ADUs, and utilizing off-site construction methods to build them can be an efficient, high-quality and timely solution. But what opportunities and challenges await those ready to embrace this evolution? Industry leaders Jake Fry and Rick Weste offer invaluable insights on the future of off-site ADU construction. Jake Fry is the founder of Smallworks, a company specializing in panelized prefabrica-
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tion and ADU construction, with more than two decades of experience and approximately 500 homes built. He played a leading role in advancing the ADU movement in Vancouver, helping to make it a citywide initiative, and founded the advocacy organization Small Housing BC. Jake has contributed to policy development at municipal, provincial and federal levels, and continues to promote innovative, scalable housing solutions through both his company and industry advocacy. Rick Weste is the President and CEO of Triple M Housing, a leader in the factory-built housing industry with roots dating back to 1981. Operating with approximately 450 employees across two shifts, the company produces about 5,000 sq. ft. of homes daily,
Jake Fr y
Rick Weste
translating to about three completed homes every day. Their extensive reach spans Western Canada, Northern Ontario, the Arctic and the United States, with a robust dealer network facilitating local sales, permitting and logistics.
REGULATORY BARRIERS, STANDARDIZATION AND CUSTOMIZATION One of the most significant obstacles facing ADU construction is the patchwork of
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