Cubes Comox Apartments

Cubes in Courtenay is a two-building, mixed-use project featuring 60 purpose-built rental suites and ground-level commercial space, located adjacent to the Comox Valley Hospital and North Island College. The design provides a variety of suite layouts—primarily one- and two-bedroom units—and emphasizes a healthy, sustainable living environment through features like polished concrete floors, heat recovery ventilation, abundant natural light, and exposed wood ceilings. Architect Tom Moore’s approach creates a welcoming, modern interior that addresses acoustics, air quality, and reduced environmental impact, making it ideal for healthcare workers, students, and other residents seeking convenient access to local amenities.

DowelLam supplied the Dowel Laminated Timber elements, used as the floor and roof slabs over a prefabricated light wood frame wall system. These off-site manufactured mass timber panels—some spanning up to 17 feet—are composed of SPF wood fibre and arrived as a precise, ready-to-install “kit of parts.” In addition to forming the exposed ceilings in the suites, DLT panels are also used for the elevator and stair shaft walls, eliminating the need for conventional finish materials while meeting acoustic, fire rating, and code requirements. This approach shortens the construction schedule, reduces waste, and creates a warm, natural aesthetic that enhances both the building’s sustainability and overall livability.