Operation Grow

Cumulus was contacted by Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) to assist with the renovation of a brownfield property for their new initiative Operation Grow. HTH provides shelter and second stage housing to women and their families seeking refuge from domestic violence. Within their programming transition to the workplace had been expressed as a gap in support services that can help enable recovery and integration into society.

HTH purchased a former LCBO building with the intent of establishing a vertical farm and retail store to provide part time employment and skills for entering/re-entering the workforce. In addition to fostering skills the vertical farm provides organic produce to local vendors and restaurants and retail directly to the community. The grow area is supplemented by a commercial grade inspected kitchen for use by families to cook and distribute food as well as for community merchants who wish to produce a local product.

The project was challenged by the design and construction timeline which required a fully operational facility within 7 months in order to receive funding. No existing drawings were available which necessitated intensive site investigation prior to development of design options.