The Leaky Condo Crisis was a slow-burn disaster that took place primarily in British Columbia, Canada, from the mid-90s

until around 2007, though some litigation continues to this day. At the core of this crisis

is what's called Leaky Condo Syndrome, which is something that became endemic in British Columbia, built condominiums

and school buildings that were constructed between the late 80s and early 2000s in the region.

This crisis is multifaceted, but generally comes back to a few main issues.

First, during that period, the post-modernism architectural design

sensibility came into vogue in the area, meaning, quite suddenly, buildings with elements more

often seen in the Mediterranean region, and in Southern California, were popping up all over

BC. What that meant in practice

were roofs without eaves, stucco wall cladding, arched windows, and open walkways, all elements

that make a lot of sense in warmer regions, but which do not make much sense in chillier, wetter British Columbia,

a location in which these elements allow moisture to get places it shouldn't be,

resulting in water infiltration, leakage, and in some cases, rampant mold growth.

Second, regulatory codes had just changed before this period, and those

codes incentivized behavior that amplified this crisis. Namely, elements like roof overhangs were

included in floor space measurements, which in turn lowered the maximum possible internal

floor space the architects

had available to work with if they decided to include these overhangs that were handy

and rainy weather, and which allowed people outside to shelter under them. But more importantly,

structurally, these overhangs kept the rain from accumulating on the walls of the buildings, wearing those walls down over time and seeping into cracks and other flaws.

This regulatory change led to the widespread removal of these overhangs, and that led to increased moisture-related problems.

Contrarily, those outdoor open, uncovered walkways that so prominently

...