At the core of every project that DPAI undertakes is the intense desire to serve the community and create a positive socioeconomic and environmental impact. An excellent recent example of the company’s dedication to strengthening the community is its involvement with Connect Communities in Hamilton. Connect Communities is a transitional residence that assists people recovering from acquired brain injuries or stroke in redesigning their lives and staying connected with their community. The residence provides specialized services to inspire recuperating people to achieve their individual goals and empower them to create a productive life for themselves. David describes the organization as “really forward-thinking” and “a great client” and emphasizes how hard they work to be perceived as part of the community and not as a facility or an institution. DPAI’s architectural response to Connect Communities’ desire to blend in with the community was to design the building so it looks like a group of regular residential houses. They also divided the building into six seven-bedroom apartments with the living and community spaces at the front. It also features three prongs facing the residential street to create an illusion of a series of houses rather than one gigantic building. “So, the presentation of the building, even though it’s a rather large building, looks like three relatively residentiallyscaled houses on the street,” David explains. DPAI
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