By: Don Fillmore

72 new homes constructed through innovative methods and partnerships

Affordable housing has become a pressing need across Canada. To tackle this challenge, Lafarge Precast has collaborated with Hill Plain Construction— a First Nation-owned company—through CMHC’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to deliver 37 precast concrete homes for the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta.

Home to over 2,000 community members, the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation (ANSN) has been facing a chronic housing crisis. Through CMHC’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) program, this project was initiated to alleviate the housing struggles faced on Nation. The journey began when Michelle Tost from Hill Plain Construction explored rapid housing programs offered by CMHC. Lafarge Precast engaged with the Hill Plain team to demonstrate the advantages of precast concrete in multifamily construction—emphasizing cost-effectiveness, durability, sustainability, and rapid deployment.

With support from ANSN’s Chief and Council, Hill Plain proposed using precast concrete for the project. After eight months of negotiations, design iterations, and cost evaluations, CMHC approved funding in July 2023 for a housing initiative comprising 35 modular homes and 37 precast homes. By late November 2023, Hill Plain engaged Stantec as the architectural and structural engineering consultant, while Lafarge Precast finalized housing designs. Precast production began in December 2023, and all components were installed by the end of February 2024—enabling Hill Plain to focus on interior construction during the warmer months.

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

The 37 homes, each featuring five bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, were built using precast concrete double-wythe insulated wall panels and hollowcore slab flooring. The exteriors of the panels have a smooth finish with decorative reveals mimicking clapboard siding, painted on-site. 

The hollowcore flooring was insulated to R25 using spray foam on the underside, with rigid insulation and plywood applied on top. This innovative approach replaced traditional concrete toppings, ensuring construction stayed on schedule during winter. Precast fabrication for each house was completed in just one day, with installation taking an average of 1½ days per home. By February 2024, all precast components were installed, and by September, most homes were ready, with 50 homes scheduled for handover shortly after.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND SECURE HOMES

The completed homes provide the community with safe, energy-efficient living spaces. Each house features R30-insulated walls, R60 insulation in the attic, and R25 insulation in the floors. Over 200 working days, Hill Plain Construction averaged a new home every 5½ days. This project not only addresses the housing crisis, but also serves as a model for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable construction in Indigenous communities.

PRECAST COMPONENTS AT A GLANCE

• 370 wall panels (5,656 sq.m or 60,880 sq.ft) with R30 double-wythe insulation; 10 panels per house.
• 480 hollowcore slabs (5,038 sq.m or 54,228 sq.ft), 8 inches thick with 30-ft clear spans; 13 slabs per house.
• Smooth panel finish with clapboard siding reveals; painted on-site.

Photos courtesy of Lafarge Precast