Modular Homes Arrive in Cambridge Bay, Transforming Housing Solutions

In a significant development for housing in the Arctic, nine modular homes have arrived in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, marking the largest delivery to date for Arctic Modular Homes. The units, constructed from prefabricated “pods,” are set to provide essential housing solutions in a region known for its challenging construction conditions.

Efficient Construction Method Reduces On-Site Work

The delivery included four four-bedroom houses and five two-bedroom homes, all designed to be assembled quickly on-site. Each home arrives fully equipped with appliances, cabinets, and fixtures, which significantly reduces the time required for construction. Co-founders Amanda Doiron and Stuart Rostant, architects who have resided in Cambridge Bay for 15 years, established Arctic Modular Homes in 2023 after years of testing various northern construction methods through their parent company, CHOU Consulting & Development Inc.

According to Doiron, transitioning from traditional on-site building to modular construction was driven by the need to mitigate risks associated with unpredictable weather and limited building seasons in the North. “For us, going from an on-site builder to a modular builder, it became pretty clear that the risk, the time, the cost we were dealing with every single year just didn’t seem feasible,” she stated.

Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction

The homes are built using insulated panels that are designed to be two to four times more energy-efficient than conventional construction methods. This not only benefits the residents but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing construction waste. “Our homes come plug-and-play,” Rostant explained. “When you walk into one of our modular units, you’ll see a fully furnished kitchen, blinds installed. It’s all there.”

Despite the advantages of their modular approach, Arctic Modular Homes faces logistical challenges. Once the homes leave their factory in Winkler, Manitoba, transportation to Cambridge Bay takes approximately two to three days by truck to Quebec, followed by a sea journey of 10 to 12 days. Barges typically arrive late in the summer, creating a narrow window for installation before winter.

Financial constraints also pose a significant hurdle. The company is currently constructing the pods for 2026 assembly, necessitating upfront costs before any sales occur. “It’s very difficult for us to build homes without getting paid,” Rostant noted. Collaborating with partners like the Nunavut Housing Corp. is crucial to their operations.

In 2021, Arctic Modular Homes sold its first modular homes for around $460,000, fully furnished. Since then, construction and shipping expenses have surged by 50 to 60 percent. “If we can sell homes where the mortgage is no more than $500,000 — say, a four-bedroom for $500,000 and a two-bedroom for $300,000 to $350,000 — that would be fantastic,” said Doiron.

The two-bedroom models, advertised on the Arctic Modular Homes website at 1,008 square feet, reflect a cost of approximately $347 per square foot at the $350,000 price point. Doiron could not provide a total cost for each home, including shipping and construction expenses, as these calculations remain incomplete.

Currently, Arctic Modular Homes employs an eight- to twelve-person crew, working diligently to complete the nine homes within a nine-week timeframe. While the company is focused on the immediate needs in Cambridge Bay, it aims to expand its operations to other communities in the future.

Rostant emphasized the importance of modular construction as a part of the broader strategy to address Nunavut’s housing crisis. “We’re just a small piece of a large puzzle,” he said. “If we want to bring all these homes up north, Nunavut doesn’t have the capacity to actually build them all from the ground up. Modular has a part to play.”