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.
