27 Cambridge Street
Client: K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project
Status: Completed - 2024
Location: 27 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
Project Type: Affordable Housing
Service: Architecture
27 Cambridge Street is a 30-unit affordable housing development owned and operated by the K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project (KWUNWP), an organization dedicated to providing culturally safe, supportive, and affordable housing that enables Indigenous (FNMI) community members in Waterloo Region to live independently and with dignity.
From the outset, the project was shaped by a clear mandate: to create a residential environment that not only meets essential housing needs, but also strengthens cultural identity, and provides spaces for ceremony, healing, and intergenerational gathering.
The building includes a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, including fully accessible units. These units are complemented by a range of amenity spaces, including a community room, resident lounge, communal laundry room, management office, and a rooftop terrace, which was designed to accommodate sacred fires, cultural workshops, teachings, and other ceremonial events. The site topography also presented an opportunity to provide an elevated healing garden at the rear of the site for residents and the greater indigenous community.
Functionally, the building was designed to support long-term operational efficiency for KWUNWP. Unit layouts were carefully organized to maximize space within a compact urban footprint, while mechanical and building systems were selected for durability, energy efficiency, and ease of maintenance.
The building’s form and massing were shaped to complement the existing streetscape, creating an inviting, contemporary presence that respects the scale and character of the neighbourhood while signalling the importance of Indigenous-led housing initiatives in the urban fabric.
Overall, 27 Cambridge Street represents a meaningful convergence of culturally informed design, responsive programming, and community-driven purpose. It provides safe, stable, and culturally affirming homes while strengthening the social and spiritual connections that are foundational to well-being. The project stands as a model for how affordable housing can respectfully and powerfully serve Indigenous communities.
