[Re]Interpreting Iqaluit's Social Housing Archetypes

This thesis investigates Iqaluit’s social housing. Overcrowding, disease, and inferior construction are just a few of the problems that have persisted since the beginning of the housing programs in Canada’s Arctic. “Nuna-Slums” are crippling the socio-economic growth of Nunavut. Northern challenges require unique solutions. Architects and other industry professionals need to re-interpret the standard Canadian housing model through a participatory approach to allow for the Inuit lifestyle. This thesis explores alternative methods to lower housing costs and source new capital. Social housing in Iqaluit has been sub-par over the years; how can we reinterpret the existing archetypes to better design housing that adapts to Inuit needs and overcome Arctic challenges? Solutions will focus on adaptation and flexibility while remapping the existing paradigms and instituting new praxis.