M5 is an ambitious rental housing tower proposed by Westbank and Henriquez Partners Architects, envisioned as a Net Zero Lifecycle Carbon prototype that redefines how tall buildings contribute to the environment. Located at 2015 Main Street in Vancouver, the project explores a replicable hybrid mass timber approach intended to dramatically reduce both operational and embodied carbon. Its goal is elegant in its simplicity: to create a building whose net environmental impact is as minimal as possible—as though it were never built.

Designed as part of the emerging Main & 5th Campus, M5 replaces an existing surface parking lot with a highly sustainable, community-oriented development. A zero-parking strategy encourages active transportation, supported by enhanced cycling amenities woven into the design—from bike-themed interiors to a resident bike lounge and café. The ground plane contributes to a vibrant public realm, with active frontages and inviting outdoor spaces that extend the building’s social and urban presence.

M5 will deliver 210 secured rental homes, including family-oriented and below-market units, supporting broader housing needs within Mount Pleasant, the Broadway Plan, and the city as a whole. At 217,000 square feet, the project is conceived not only as a building, but as a model for environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable communities. Its innovative design has already earned international recognition through awards such as the WAFX Award, Architecture MasterPrize, and multiple honours from the World Architecture Festival.