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MTE Consultants Acquires RIZZ Engineering, Strengthening Expertise in Structural Design and Precast Concrete

YW Kitchener-Waterloo Supportive Housing
Residential

YW Kitchener-Waterloo Supportive Housing Mid-rise

Partners

DEI Consulting Engineers, Edge Architects, Element5, Melloul Blamey Construction, MHBC, Vortex Fire Protection, YW Kitchener-Waterloo, Zon Engineering

Key personnel

Rebecca Kerr, P.Eng., Kurt Ruhland, P.Eng.

Project overview

YW Kitchener-Waterloo has taken a step toward addressing the critical need for affordable and supportive housing in the region. With land generously donated by the City of Kitchener, the organization has developed a four-storey, multi-unit residential building that offers a safe and secure home for 41 vulnerable women.

This project has been made possible through the collaborative support of the Region of Waterloo, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Federal Government’s Rapid Housing Initiative. In order to meet the strict timelines required by this funding, the project team adopted a highly collaborative approach and employed modular construction techniques, allowing them to significantly accelerate the schedule while maintaining quality and integrity.

MTE's Involvement

MTE is proud to have supported this essential development through both structural and civil engineering services. Working in close partnership with the architect and design-build contractor, our structural engineering team helped deliver an efficient and sustainable design tailored to modular construction. The 41-unit residence features timber framing and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor, wall, and roof panels—offering a durable and cost-effective alternative to conventional building materials such as concrete, masonry, and steel. This integrated panel system provides improved energy efficiency and supports a resilient building envelope. The exterior of the building incorporates EIFS cladding, punch-style residential windows, and a stucco façade that mimics exposed concrete, adding texture and urban character.

Our civil engineering team provided solutions for site servicing, grading, and stormwater management that addressed the needs of both phases of the development. To meet the City of Kitchener’s stormwater management requirements, we proposed a riverstone-lined retention swale and a rain garden—both designed to encourage natural infiltration and reduce runoff, supporting sustainability goals for the site.

With the 23,000-ft² Phase One structure now complete and occupied, MTE also has supported the successful delivery of Phase Two, helping to advance the YW’s mission of providing safe, dignified housing for women in need.