In the late 1980s, Montreal faced a familiar challenge: rising land prices, urban sprawl, and a lack of affordable housing for young families. The response? The Grow Home, an innovative model developed by McGill University’s School of Architecture that redefined what affordable urban living could look like.
💡 What made the Grow Home revolutionary?
- Compact + cost-effective design: Narrow-fronted row houses (just 14 ft wide) reduced construction and land costs by up to 50%.
- Incremental ownership: Delivered partially finished, allowing residents to complete and customize their homes over time.
- Efficient urban form: Higher density meant 60% lower infrastructure costs and reduced land consumption.
- Energy savings: Shared-wall construction improved energy efficiency, cutting heating costs by over 60%.
- Community impact: Encouraged participation, DIY construction, and stronger neighbourhood ties.
Since its launch, over 6,000 Grow Homes have been built in Montreal and thousands more across North America, proving that affordable, adaptable, and sustainable housing is achievable.
🏗️ The model’s philosophy now resonates across continents:
- 🇪🇺 Europe’s Affordable Housing Initiative and New European Bauhaus share its emphasis on modular, community-driven design.
- 🇺🇸 In the U.S., parallels can be found in Habitat for Humanity’s incremental housing and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) programs.
- 🇨🇦 In Canada, the National Housing Strategy continues to echo Grow Home principles of affordability and sustainability.
🏆 Recognized with the World Habitat Award (1999), the Grow Home remains a global reference for cities seeking new pathways to housing equity and resilience.
👉 As housing crises deepen worldwide, the lessons from Montreal’s Grow Home remind us that innovation, flexibility, and community participation can bridge the gap between affordability and sustainability.
📘 Read the full best practice article: