the way we live

I attended a workshop yesterday held by the City of Edmonton as part of the development of their long-term strategic plan for people services.  The conversation focused on how places + spaces contribute to our life in Edmonton and was engaging + thought-provoking.  The overarching concern, interestingly, was sustainability and how that affects everything we do, plan and envision.  Without a sustainable intent, people services be they policing, parks or facilities are doomed to fail. 

An example of this theme was heard in the agreement that people places first need to reinforce and support a community at a local level.  There was general concern that the multiplex model, while fiscally efficient, contributes to vehicle use, isolation + homogeneity.  In contrast, the traditional model of school/community league/playground/rink and/or playing fields reinforces community connections through its intimate scale that encourages neighborhood gatherings, cross-generational interaction and accessible fitness.  Granted, this model cannot exist in isolation of other opportunities provided by swimming pools + larger facilities.  But it should not be discarded in favour of a one-size-fits-all solution. 

Another discussion theme revolved around creating a “geography of place” for Edmonton.  In contrast to the “placeless-ness” exhibited by many North American cities, including Edmonton’s suburbs, a geography of place would create an immediately identifiable urban fabric.  It would be rooted in this northern landscape, connected by the river + ravines, informed by the plants, animals + ecosystems that sustain the city and acknowledge history and first peoples.  Places + spaces that evolve out of the region will have more poetry, identity and meaning than ideas + designs transplanted from distant cities.  Start and the river and work out along the ravines.  Protect those sacred spaces, daylight buried waterways, rejuvenate lost land, honor precious arable soil.  Celebrate winter.  Protect dark skies.  Revel in long summer days. 

Dream a magic city.  Make it happen.

trapezoid house

Some progress images for your entertainment….the project is in the design development stage and we’re hoping for a construction start in the spring.

This single family residence is situated within an older neighbourhood in Edmonton, near the river valley on a very large pie shaped lot.  The lot has a south to southwest orientation with a narrow public frontage and large private rear yard.  The residence has been located and shaped to maximize the private open space and solar orientation.  The trapezoidal form results from these goals and as a response to the allowable building footprint.  The resultant volume defines a form which is clad in minimal materials to reinforce its simplicity.  Voids are carved out to define the entry and to create a private second floor rooftop garden.  Similarly, two story volumes within the house are used to define interior spaces and create connections between the floors.

The main floor is essentially one large space oriented to the south containing living, dining and kitchen areas.  The living room features a fireplace wall that extends to the roof within the area open to the second floor.  Large glass doors on the south side allow movement between the outdoor dining patio and the interior spaces.  Support spaces run parallel to these public areas, contained within a narrow area on the north edge.  The stairs are stacked against this north wall and have views to a protected courtyard filled with aspen trees.  The second floor is dedicated to the family’s private functions – bedrooms, studio, a balcony library adjacent the double height living area and a media room.  A shaft above the dining room sideboard creates a dramatic separation between the media room and the exterior wall.  A low window provides glimpses of the roof top garden from the media room and hallway.  The lower level is reserved for guest accommodation, a games room and service spaces.

The construction is wood frame to best suit local traditions and expertise.  However, a double wall construction is employed to maximize the insulation required for Edmonton’s extreme climate.  A combination of mineral wool and fibreglass insulation are used and located within the framing as appropriate to realize both sound attenuation and installation requirements.  The floors are concrete topping on wood joists to allow the aesthetic of polished concrete, and ease of maintenance and some greater thermal mass.

thinking of renovating your house?

DESIGN, SOLAR PANELS AND FOOTPRINTS – WHERE TO BEGIN?

With fall, thoughts start to turn with some trepidation to another heating season.  If you’re tired of high utility costs you might be contemplating a renovation or even starting from scratch.  It’s not too late to plan for a construction start in the spring of next year.  With the downturn in the economy, construction costs are decreasing and government grants for home renovations are available.  Media is filled with articles on green homes, energy alternatives, green roofs….the choices are dizzying and you may be wondering where to begin and how to make the best choices for your project and family. 

Your first step should be to clearly establish the project goals that will then be used to check every following decision.   Aim to establish visionary goals that go beyond “I’d like a really nice walk-in-closet”.    Your guiding principle could be to spend less money on utilities, maximize efficient use of space, or allow for aging-in place.  You may have more than one goal, but they should be compatible.  It is difficult to reconcile an aspiration to have a sustainable home with a 5,000 square foot area requirement.

Once you have established your guiding principles seek out the advice of a professional – either an architect or a builder.  Builders typically offer design services as part of the construction services in a design/build agreement.  A reputable builder will have a clear contract that you will review and sign prior to beginning any work.  For renovation projects, Renomark^TM is a good place to start to find a professional, reliable contractor- reputable builders will happily provide references.  Review their portfolio and assess whether their style and approach is compatible with your dreams.

An architect can offer a unique set of skills acquired in years of training both in university and in practice.  Architects are not merely designers – an average house design involves building science, negotiations with city authorities, material selections, site analysis, solar studies, and marital counselling.  A good architect will provide an innovative and personalized solution that is unique to you, your family and your site.  Typically, a full service architectural agreement will result in a set of construction documents that are more comprehensive than a builder package.   Architectural fees are usually calculated as a percentage of building cost and therefore increase as the budget does – reflective of the increasing work required for a larger project.  Make sure you review the architect’s portfolio and that you like the firm’s body of work – the relationship is doomed to fail if you dream of a Victorian mansion and your architect is a modernist.  Similarly, if you are particularly interested in sustainable design, seek out a firm that specializes in it and can offer advice based on experience.  Most architects will recommend contractors they trust to complete the building portion of the work.  Your architect can review pricing, perform regular site visits, address issues that arise during construction and advocate for your interests in the case of a conflict or discrepancy.    Note that the term architect is often used loosely and incorrectly.  A registered architect must be a member of the Alberta Association of Architects and is allowed to use the designation AAA. 

Grant options are available for sustainable homes or energy retrofits – your builder or architect should be able to provide direction if needed.  Generally, if you are contemplating a renovation you should consider investing in an energy audit of your home prior to embarking on any planning to take full advantage of the available programs. 

Finally, always keep in mind that every additional square metre of area not only has an associated cost of construction but also the cost of its ecological footprint.  Small, well designed spaces are made beautiful by the dinner parties, family gatherings and quiet reflections that occur within them, not by the area of exotic wood on the floors or the large sectionals they contain.

Edmonton Design Committee

Check out my article here http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=13875

alberta avenue

Our little facade upgrade project on 118th Avenue is moving forward quickly.  “Our” building is a 1970’s era former government office building, built of post + beam construction with some lovely angled gluelam beams/columns.  It was very unfortunately clad in masonry stucco which showed the effects of cladding not meant to perform as a roof finish. 

Our design has had the building stripped to the structure and reclad in plywood, membrane, rigid insulation + galvanized corrugated steel.  The front facade and deep entry recesses are to be finished with mosaic tile – some of which is up and demonstrating a lovely pixelated effect…Progress pictures for your perusal.