The Naut’sa Mawt (meaning "together as one") Affordable Housing Project is a five-storey residential building that provides 40-units of housing for Indigenous Elders, individuals and persons living with disabilities with low to moderate incomes in Courtenay.
Naut’sa mawt helps address the ongoing issue of affordable housing by providing 40 homes instrumental for many individuals and their families.
The exterior of the Naut’sa Mawt multi-family project features a thoughtful combination of all three of Fisher's James Hardie fibre cement product lines—TrueGrain Series™, Artisan WoodGrain™ and TrueColour™ in program colours that emulate the use of real wood without the maintenance.
TrueGrain™ Cedartone on HardiePanel® Vertical Siding with Select Cedarmill® texture was paired with HardieTrim® Rustic Grain and applied in a classic Board and Batten style, adding surface texture and a timeless, crafted appearance. On other façades, TrueColour™ HardiePanel® in Rich Espresso was used in contrast, complemented by Cedartone HardieTrim® Rustic Grain to introduce variation and depth across the building façades. This thoughtful mix of tones, textures, and profiles brings a sense of rhythm and richness to the exterior while maintaining a cohesive and durable finish.
Artisan WoodGrain™ in Nootka Cedar was installed horizontally to create subtle contrast to the vertical lines of the Board and Batten siding. This variation in orientation and material adds depth and differentiation to the building while continuing the theme of wood-inspired design rooted in cultural significance.
Indigenous artwork was commissioned for the exterior of the building, which took the form of a sun and a moon, oriented respectively on the east and west facades.
This building is an outstanding example of how all three of Fisher’s fiber cement product lines can be used together—each in different profiles, finishes, and application styles—to create contrast, depth, and architectural interest. By thoughtfully combining these materials, the design achieves a warm, wood-inspired aesthetic that pays homage to natural cedar, while offering the long-term durability and low maintenance benefits of fiber cement. The result is a cohesive and visually engaging exterior that captures the beauty of wood without the ongoing upkeep.
Awards:
- 2025 Vancouver Island Commercial Building Awards - Affordable Housing
