Squamish is the only place where artist William Wallace thinks he can make his dream a reality.
For several years, the metal sculptor has been working to get approvals to build a studio with residential units. But the project's uniqueness - the structure will be composed of cargo containers and other recycled materials - has made finding a home for the building a challenge, Wallace said.
Although it has taken a long time for his plans for the 33710 Third Ave. site to pass through the District of Squamish, the municipality is one of the few places in which such a project is possible, Wallace said.
"There are all kinds of rules," he said.
On Tuesday (Nov. 15), Wallace's proposed live-work artisan building on the downtown lot received the nod from council. The structure's layout includes an industrial welding section, as well as a space where the musician can rehearse or perform.
The second floor of the three-floor of building would be used for storage and the top floor, which is set back from the lower floors on all sides, would be residential units.
The proposed building is made predominantly out of stacked cargo containers and timber-formed concrete - with 12 per cent of the building made out of re-used post-consumer content, like the cargo container, and 11 per cent from recycled materials, including wood, steel and glass.
Dubbed the Cargo House, the development includes a 1,158-square-foot rooftop garden. Water from the roof's irrigation would flow through an art installation on the front of the building. Finding insurance for such a rooftop garden is a nightmare, Wallace noted.
The Cargo House fits in with the district's vision for the community's heart, district planner Sabina Foofat said.
"This is probably one of the greenest new developments that we will see in downtown Squamish," she told council.
Coun. Doug Race said he was impressed with the public art component of the proposal, while Coun. Patricia Heintzman said the project would add another level of life to Squamish's core.
Wallace said the building drawings are currently being reviewed by an architectural firm. If everything goes as planned, he said he hopes to start digging in January.
Once complete, Wallace said he wants to be able to occasionally open up the facility to the Squamish arts community.
