Second Life
Giving vacant spaces a second chance
The Second Life initiative mobilizes design for better futures. Second Life transforms overlooked assets—empty or vacant spaces—in urban neighbourhood, revitalizing these properties into dynamic spaces for local businesses and sites of learning. Our cities are home to countless properties that escape market demand for retrofit, yet offer vast open spaces for flexible use. Unlike traditional retrofits, Second Life focuses on the creation of “mini-buildings”: free-standing, modular structures that celebrate our human nature to be social while allowing for physical distancing when necessary. The mini-buildings utilize prefabricated components to optimize onsite assembly, significantly reducing the time and costs associated with building renovations. They are climatized independently and can be used “off the grid,” enabling them to adapt to both changing climates and health recommendations.