The Butterfly and First Baptist Church Complex / Revery Architecture

"The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex - As cities densify and land grows scarcer, sacred sites - long seen as untouchable - are emerging as unexpected catalysts for urban transformation."

"In Vancouver, where rising housing demand and social isolation intersect, The Butterfly introduces a new urban typology: design-forward vertical living anchored in community and culture."

"This landmark project represents a unique partnership between architects, a religious institution, and developers to reimagine church-owned land as an eclectic mixed-use village."

Cities facing densification and scarce land are increasingly using sacred sites as catalysts for urban change. In Vancouver, The Butterfly responds to rising housing demand and social isolation by introducing a new urban typology: design-forward vertical living anchored in community and culture. The project leverages a partnership between architects, a religious institution, and developers to repurpose church-owned land into an eclectic mixed-use village. The development combines housing, cultural and community spaces to foster social connection while increasing residential capacity. The model demonstrates how adaptive reuse of religious properties can address housing shortages and strengthen neighborhood cohesion.

Read at ArchDaily