John Gower grew up in a world of unique possibilities. The son of an architect, he spent countless hours as a boy in his father’s workspace, watching his dad as well as the draftspeople who drew up sketches and plans. It was a creative sandbox for John, as he produced his own highly imaginative drawings. Fast forward many decades and John, now a father himself, designs homes and neighbourhoods that meet the needs of families, individuals and people with specific needs.
John is the designer of The Anchorage, L’Arche Comox Valley’s project to provide 15 suites of affordable and safe housing for adults with diverse abilities, with an an additional suite for a “Good Friend and Neighbour.” Located at 1560 Grieve Ave. in the heart of Courtenay, the property is close to downtown and bus routes, providing access to the wider Comox Valley community. The Anchorage will offer affordable and safe housing for people with developmental disabilities, featuring duplexes, four-plexes and single units centered around a shared amenity space where people with and without disabilities will gather.
The Benefits of Intentional Living
More than 12 years ago, John and his family moved to the Comox Valley to live at Creekside Commons co-housing in Courtenay. Their intentional neighbourhood is a community of homes where people maintain their own small, private space while being presented with lots of opportunities to interact with their neighbours; this includes meals, events, celebrations, ground maintenance, gardening and more. John says he and his family have benefited greatly from being a part of their shared neighbourhood.
“Community living works well,” John says. “You get a lot out of it. It calls on you to be your best self and keep the well-being of everyone in mind”.
And in an age when so many people find themselves living far away from family, not knowing their neighbours and having limited opportunities to bond with others, engaged neighbours can provide the connection that is needed and appreciated by many.
The Anchorage Neighbourhood Design
John explains that with co-housing, design is very important. “It gets people out of their houses to interact and build connections, and The Anchorage’s amenity space is the hub of its design.”
While the residents will look out onto a small walking path and their neighbour’s homes, each home space is also balanced with the privacy that people need. At 500 square feet each, the one-bedroom units will include a living and dining space, kitchen, bathroom and in-suite laundry.
Front-end Loading for Success
A successful building project requires front-end loading – robust planning and design – when there’s the greatest ability to influence plans and make any changes needed.
Planning and design, which has been underway for more than two and a half years, is overseen by a L’Arche Comox Valley building committee. Together, they discuss design functionality, cost considerations, building and safety regulations, building sustainability and enlist the services of others as needed.
(Missing from photo Marni Davis and Dan Fournier)
“We have professionals sitting on our committee, volunteering numerous hours because it’s a project that they care about and believe in,” says Lynda Brosko, Community Leader & Executive Director for L’Arche Comox Valley. “The cost that goes into the forward planning of a project like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of not only the members of our building committee but all of the businesses, individuals and organizations that support us as we move forward.”
As for John, he’s excited to see The Anchorage Project progress. “L’Arche’s building committee is a great team to work with,” he says. “And The Anchorage will be such a sweet addition to the neighbourhood, and a great example of what’s possible.”
John Gower and his partner Phil Tripp are principals of Commonhouse Design , providing custom design services to the Comox Valley region. They believe that good home design can be transformative in peoples’ lives and contribute to the greater good of the planet. Learn more at commonhousedesign.com
