ABOUT
We are expert advisors with real experience
As leaders in this field, we have been on the ground transforming communities for over a decade. Our goal is to support the evolution of established neighbourhoods from primarily single-family homes to vibrant, walkable communities with diverse housing options supporting a broader range of Canadians making the places we live more inclusive.
We foster the development of middle housing in a scalable, simplified, and sustainable manner.
mddl (pronounced “middle”) is an expert in middle housing, with a collective track record of delivering hundreds of homes in established neighbourhoods. We’ve made many mistakes and learned from them, we’ve celebrated successes, and most importantly, we’ve realized that to make a meaningful impact, we can’t do it alone. It is for this reason we have renewed our focus to support at-scale delivery of middle housing across Canadian cities.
As a CMHC Level Up Stage 5 Housing Supply Challenge Semi-Finalist, our mission, alongside strategic partners, is to build capacity from top to bottom, and to strategically partner with municipalities, industry experts and citizens in reducing barriers and delivering middle.
As a CMHC Level Up Stage 5 Housing Supply Challenge Semi-Finalist, our mission, alongside strategic partners, is to build capacity from top to bottom, and to strategically partner with municipalities, industry experts and citizens in reducing barriers and delivering middle.
THE CHALLENGE
By 2030, an additional 3.5 million new homes will be needed to keep up with growing housing demand. To address this housing shortage, we need scalable, easy-to-implement solutions that meet the diverse needs of Canadians.
In Canada, 85% of homes - that’s 8 million - are single-family dwellings. These homes are neither the problem nor the symptom, but a vital piece of the solution. They present the clearest opportunity for Canadians to drive change from the ground up and unlock the true value of their properties through the development of middle housing.
We recognized that impactful change in this space must be an inclusive and transparent process. An incredible amount of vitriol has been created through careless redevelopment. We believe that true change will only occur if homeowners and citizens are at the center of the solution. Changing policy is just the first step. Our goal is to create a movement that enables Canadians to live and age in place in the communities they love.
We recognized that impactful change in this space must be an inclusive and transparent process. An incredible amount of vitriol has been created through careless redevelopment. We believe that true change will only occur if homeowners and citizens are at the center of the solution. Changing policy is just the first step. Our goal is to create a movement that enables Canadians to live and age in place in the communities they love.
The Founders
ALKARIM DEVANI
CEO
Alkarim Devani is co-founder of RNDSQR, where his passion for design and innovation drives his vision of redefining what it means to be a developer. Alkarim’s work building RNDSQR has garnered national and international recognition and is a frequent guest lecturer at The University of California, Berkeley, and The University of Calgary. In addition, Alkarim is a dedicated and active member of the community and development industry. He regularly contributes his time to numerous volunteer organizations as well as a number of industry-led boards and communities including D.Talks and Calgary Housing Company. Alkarim’s work has gained a multitude of media attention and frequently been the recipient of The Canadian Architecture Awards, MUDA Awards, American Architecture Prize, and the BILD Awards. Alkarim transitions into the next stage of his career with mddl to use his in-depth experience with middle housing to help scale the delivery of housing across Canada.
Alkarim Devani is co-founder of RNDSQR, where his passion for design and innovation drives his vision of redefining what it means to be a developer. Alkarim’s work building RNDSQR has garnered national and international recognition and is a frequent guest lecturer at The University of California, Berkeley, and The University of Calgary. In addition, Alkarim is a dedicated and active member of the community and development industry. He regularly contributes his time to numerous volunteer organizations as well as a number of industry-led boards and communities including D.Talks and Calgary Housing Company. Alkarim’s work has gained a multitude of media attention and frequently been the recipient of The Canadian Architecture Awards, MUDA Awards, American Architecture Prize, and the BILD Awards. Alkarim transitions into the next stage of his career with mddl to use his in-depth experience with middle housing to help scale the delivery of housing across Canada.
DARLENE JEHN
PRESIDENT
Darlene Jehn is a certified Project Management Professional and Registered Professional Planner with a master’s degree in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford. Her professional experience spans across public and private sectors, managing a wide range of projects from overseeing municipal-wide policy initiatives to obtaining development approvals for specific sites. Darlene has previously held the position of Vice President of Development for the fastest growing hospitality brand in western Canada. In this role, she spearheaded the expansion efforts for over $450 million dollars worth of real estate projects with a focus on developments in the middle housing typology. Darlene has also served on Planning Commission and Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and supports builder and developer housing advocacy efforts in her home community.
Darlene Jehn is a certified Project Management Professional and Registered Professional Planner with a master’s degree in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford. Her professional experience spans across public and private sectors, managing a wide range of projects from overseeing municipal-wide policy initiatives to obtaining development approvals for specific sites. Darlene has previously held the position of Vice President of Development for the fastest growing hospitality brand in western Canada. In this role, she spearheaded the expansion efforts for over $450 million dollars worth of real estate projects with a focus on developments in the middle housing typology. Darlene has also served on Planning Commission and Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and supports builder and developer housing advocacy efforts in her home community.
OUR MODEL IS STRAIGHTFORWARD
We provide you with the tools, education and supportive community to ensure your success.
Middle housing is unique because every opportunity begins with an existing homeowner or citizen. We believe the solution lies in placing people at the center of our model rather than adhering to traditional development practices where developers hold all the information, and homeowners are left with little option to stay where they are when their current single family home no longer meets their housing needs.
As developers ourselves, we’ve recognized that we can’t drive meaningful impact alone. By empowering citizens, industry and the larger ecosystem, we can create a new movement based on transparency and sharing — this is where real change becomes possible.
As developers ourselves, we’ve recognized that we can’t drive meaningful impact alone. By empowering citizens, industry and the larger ecosystem, we can create a new movement based on transparency and sharing — this is where real change becomes possible.
mddl
Community
Community
Community of middle housing champions to connect with decision makers, policy makers, and advocates from across Canada!
Municipal
Fast-Track
Fast-Track
Harmonizing policy, standardized designs and process development to deliver middle housing, faster.
Education
to Empower
to Empower
A full-day comprehensive course that covers what you need to know to deliver middle housing.
Developer Forum
Program
Program
Support and guidance on middle housing delivery, from policy and zoning to financing your project.