In 2007 SEPW began work with Ehrlo Community Services to develop a three-storey mixed use development.  The program for the building includes two main floor office suites and a laundromat.  The two floors above consist of forty residential units.  One of the main floor office suites will be home to Phoenix Residential Society who will offer life skills training and assistance to the building's residents, many of whom are at risk due to issues related to addictions, mental health, and poverty. 

SEPW has worked with Ehrlo Community Services from early program development and site selection through to completed construction documents and now into construction. 

The first major design hurdle was to design humane, livable residential units while being as efficient as possible with space use and budget.   The residential units are studio style apartments with built-in beds and kitchenettes.  Each unit has a full bath.  As the design developed, SEPW created highly detailed digital models of the units so that the design intent would be fully communicated. 

The other major design challenge this project presented was that the site chosen was not wide enough to fit forty residential units in a simple linear arrangement.  Various massing studies were undertaken which led to the building's distinctive zig-zag floor plan.  The folding of the building's mass created an opportunity for shared exterior spaces for the building's residents.  It is hoped that these spaces will increase interaction of the residents leading to a sense of community within the building. 

The exterior finishes of the building include brick masonry on the main floor and fibre cement panels and lap-siding on floors two and three.  Where the footprint of floors two and three extent beyond that of the main level the fibre cement panels and siding are extended down, a manifestation of the programmatic mixing between the main and upper floors.