DP Approved for Sage Ravines Townhomes!

The Development Permit has been approved for the Sage Ravines project by Logel Homes!

This project will bring 68 stacked townhouses to Calgary's Sage Hill community. Spanning across 11 buildings, the project offers seven distinct building types that range from 1,200 to 2,200 square feet. The design aims to offer a variety of options to accommodate the needs of families and residents.

Set along a natural environmental reserve, these townhomes offer a blend of scenic living and functional design. With municipal green spaces located to the West and North, our team ensured that the townhomes take advantage of outdoor living. Each unit will have green space at their entries as well as individual balconies accessible from the second level. The homes along the west edge of the development will have direct views and access to a municipal park and green space. We were very happy with the extents of the landscaping for a project this size, and our team placed careful consideration to integrating regional pathways into the site design for added appeal.

Click below to learn more about Sage Ravines Townhomes!

Point Access Block: The Results

Point Access Block and the Builder Single-Stair Housing Competition

Concluding the Point Access Block blog series, we are pleased to reveal the results of the design research teams and their entries into the Buildner Single-Stair Housing Competition. We are immensely proud of the work of our M.Arch students as both submissions to the competition presented a highly developed and realistic conceptual design that has, in our opinion, proved the efficacy of the PAB typology in North America. It is our hope that these PAB feasibility studies will serve as a springboard to move forward conversations surrounding code change across Canada and act as precedents to unlocking new housing opportunities for Canadians in the future through PAB design.

Lastly, we’d like to shout out Team 2 for being Shortlisted by Buildner for their submission—congrats to Michael Stellmach and Richard Tsai on this awesome achievement! Check out their entry (and the other fantastic submissions) on the competition results page for the Buildner Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge.

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Team 1: Gateway

Design by Gwen Houtzager, Michael Paris, and Pauline Sutherland

Text description provided by the designers. Gateway was designed as a thoughtful response to its urban context, drawing inspiration from the varied building heights, materials, and architectural strategies in the surrounding area. The result is an apartment building that accommodates a diverse range of residents and family sizes while seamlessly integrating into its environment. This competition tasked participants with designing an apartment building on a parcel of land measuring approximately 46' x 121' (5,566 square feet), traditionally zoned for a single-family home, duplex, or four-plex. The design challenge focused on incorporating a single-stair configuration, inspired by recent code changes in Seattle, USA, and Vancouver, Canada, which now permit single-stair apartments. This approach aims to maximize site efficiency, promote increased urban density, and provide housing options that accommodate diverse needs.

The core concept of the project is to create an inclusive apartment building that brings together people from diverse backgrounds and accommodates various family sizes, fostering a strong sense of community. This vision is realized through intentional design choices that prioritize human-centric living, such as thoughtfully selected materials, flexible layouts, and a variety of unit types to suit different needs. The building emphasizes communal spaces that encourage interaction and connection among residents while also offering private, comfortable living environments. Our team’s approach to creating Gateway began with comprehensive research into both Canadian and American building codes. Building on this groundwork, we employed a hands-on, iterative process, using a Tetris-like methodology to explore and refine unit placement and configuration. This strategy allowed us to efficiently optimize the use of space, ensuring a balanced mix of unit types while maximizing functionality and livability.

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A variety of unit types, including single-story and multi-story layouts, cater to diverse household needs, ensuring accessibility for individuals, couples, and families of different sizes. Central to the design is a spacious private outdoor courtyard, providing a serene and communal space where residents can relax, socialize, or connect with nature. Gateway’s design thoughtfully responds to its surrounding urban context through the use of brick, a material that reflects the architectural character of Denver, Colorado. Beyond aesthetics, brick was chosen for its inherent sustainability and fire-resilient properties, contributing to the building’s durability and environmental performance. Complementing the brickwork, metal panels serve as the secondary material, adding a modern contrast to the facade. These panels break up the geometry of the building, delineate unit types, and provide visual interest while maintaining continuity by wrapping around the stair core.

Several challenges arose during the development of Gateway, beginning with the stringent building code requirements. These regulations, particularly for developments exceeding three stories, imposed significant restrictions, including large setbacks, which made achieving a single-stair configuration exceptionally difficult. Parking presented another major hurdle, as the site lacked sufficient space for a traditional ramped parking structure. The solution was to incorporate a car lift system, a space-saving innovation commonly used in Japan. This approach not only addressed the spatial constraints but also brought efficiency and modernity to the project. Additionally, the team needed to balance optimizing space with ensuring that the apartments felt open and comfortable, requiring constant revisions to achieve the ideal layouts. The project evolved through multiple iterations in both massing and unit configurations, ultimately achieving a more deliberate and thoughtful design. The building’s massing draws inspiration from the surrounding brick architecture and historic district, incorporating modern design elements to create a timeless aesthetic. One standout feature is the inclusion of brick arches, a rarity in residential projects due to the high level of craftsmanship and cost they require. To address these challenges, the team conducted research into advanced construction techniques, utilizing robotic arms to create intricate brick vaults. This innovative method demonstrated the feasibility of producing complex and precise designs while reducing labor intensity. The overall result is Gateway, a project that harmonizes tradition with innovation, creating a livable, community-focused environment that respects its context and embraces forward-thinking design solutions.

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Team 2: Core Commons

Design by Michael Stellmach and Richard Tsai

Text description provided by the designers. Core Commons is an imaginative architectural project situated at 1338 Emerson St in the historical Capitol Hill area of Denver. The development addresses the missing middle by creating a robust intergenerational housing complex. Leveraging the site’s proximity to transit, bike infrastructure, and a vibrant cultural scene, Core Commons promotes sustainable, community-focus urban living to encourage resilience. The task is to design an innovative housing solution that bridges the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes; creating a sustainable, intergenerational community that maximizes a compact urban lot while fostering connections among residents and the surrounding neighbourhood. Core Commons aims to address the missing middle housing crisis by offering diverse unit types for a wide range of residents, creating a vertical neighborhood that fosters community and interaction. The project integrates sustainable design principles and prioritizes alternative transportation options while balancing adaptable and resilient housing that harmonizes public and private spaces.

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The design concept draws inspiration from the traditional Briggs house, reimagined for an urban context. Key elements like the front and back lawn, stairs, and neighborhood interface were abstracted to form transitional boundaries between public and private realms. The central staircase becomes the heart of the design, serving as a social and functional connector. The building’s design blurs boundaries between movement and occupation, creating a dynamic architectural experience that promotes interaction and community. The approach involved adapting a suburban housing typology for a vertical, urban context by emphasizing shared spaces like the central staircase and a ground-level party room to foster community interaction. Drought-tolerant landscaping was utilized alongside integration with existing transit and bike infrastructure to prioritize sustainability. Additionally, every unit was designed as a corner unit to enhance natural ventilation, light, and access to outdoor spaces.

The central wrapping staircase of Core Commons acts as a vertical street and gathering space, fostering chance encounters and connections. Front and backyards for units provide residents with personal outdoor spaces, enhancing the balance between public and private realms. A flexible ‘party room’ opens to both the central stair and a front patio, encouraging community events. The operable facade offers residents control over sunlight and ventilation, enhancing sustainability. Diverse unit layouts accommodate a wide range of residents, including young professionals, families, and retirees. The wood-framed construction ensures flexibility and adaptability for future expansion or contraction. Sustainable materials, primarily wood-frame construction with a brick veneer, were chosen for easy assembly and disassembly. A concrete core connects the two halves of the building, providing structural stability. Operable facades and small windows optimize light, ventilation, and thermal performance while adhering to building codes. Drought-tolerant landscaping reduces water usage and enhances the building’s environmental integration.

Given the extremely small site, setbacks and available surface amenity space posed initial challenges. Early iterations included scattered amenity spaces throughout the building, but this compromised valuable floor area, reducing unit numbers and overall efficiency. To address this, social spaces were strategically distributed, incorporating external social stairs along every floor with primary amenity areas on the ground floor and rooftop. Additionally, mitigating the imposing presence of a six-story tower amidst two-story buildings required careful facade design. Breaking up the facade facing adjacent buildings created porosity, which not only reduced tension but also fostered a stronger visual and spatial dialogue with the surrounding structures. The completed design successfully bridges the missing middle by creating a sustainable, intergenerational housing complex that fosters community and interaction. The building’s central staircase and shared spaces enhance social connectivity, while its sustainable design principles contribute to urban resilience. By utilizing adaptable materials and diverse unit layouts, Core Commons serves as a model for future urban housing developments, addressing the housing crisis while enriching the neighborhood’s cultural fabric.

Development Permit Submitted for the Highwood Towns & Commercial Centre!

Introducing the Highwood Townhomes and Highwood Commercial Centre!

Located in High River, Alberta in the Montrose neighbourhood, this project will include 15 stacked townhouse buildings with 146 units as well as 4 commercial buildings that will offer 22 retail spaces. One of the buildings will include a second floor day home facility with an adjacent rooftop playground!

This development will bring vibrancy to the Montrose Community, offering significant commercial, community and public gathering spaces that are accessible both regionally and locally being well-connected to the surrounding road and pedestrian networks.

We are excited to share that the Development Permit has been submitted for this community development!

Click the button below to learn more about the Highwood Centre project!

Point Access Block: Unlocking Small Lot Development in British Columbia

What is Point Access Block?

Back in August of 2024, the government of British Columbia announced a revision to the BC Building Code (BCBC 2024, rev.3) allowing for small residential buildings to be built with only one means of egress — a single exit stairwell core. Also known as a Point Access Block (PAB), these buildings target small, narrow parcels for residential development, unlocking new opportunities for infill development on under-utilized land.

With compact footprints, units are arranged around or near a single central egress point (stairwell & elevator core). The second egress core is eliminated and connective corridors are reduced substantially, resulting in more flexibility to unit/suite design, and greater number of units/suites with corner exposure. Additionally, this design approach supports high-density living, promotes walkable neighbourhoods, and enhances urban sustainability through the utilization of smaller infill sites otherwise left undeveloped.

In the fall of 2024, Gravity Architecture sponsored a small cohort of M.Arch students as part of a Work Integrated Learning experience in collaboration with the University of Calgary. Over the span of four months, Gravity’s own Noel Heard and Maureen Carrigy oversaw the progress of M.Arch 2025 students in two teams: Gwen Houtzager, Michael Paris, and Pauline Sutherland forming Team 1, and Michael Stellmach and Richard Tsai forming Team 2. During this time, the research teams were tasked with conducting a series of experiments and exercises to discover exactly the potentials of PAB design via the framework of the Buildner Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge. This competition’s primary goal is to challenge the current building constraints of existing building codes in not only Denver, but North America as a whole.

In this edition of the Point Access Block blog series, we deconstruct the BCBC 2024 rev.3 code for Point Access Block (download our cheat sheet below!) and present our research team’s preliminary feasibility for residential development on a PAB compliant sized parcel of land.

PAB Design in British Columbia

Effective August 27 of 2024, BCBC Revision 3 officially enables construction of Point Access Block in Canada. Currently, PAB design is common throughout most of the world, but is almost completely absent within North America. The exception occurs in Seattle, where in 2021 the Seattle building code introduced revisions similar to BC’s Revision 3 that allowed for the single-egress. Though PAB is currently restricted to British Columbia, it’s not implausible to believe that other provinces will soon follow in adopting these policies.

Our research teams were tasked with comparing three building codes: (1) Denver Building Code and Bylaw, 2021 (does not support PAB design, similar to Alberta); (2) Seattle Building Code and Bylaw, 2021 (supports PAB design); and (3) British Columbia Building Code, 2024, Revision 3 (supports PAB design). After deconstructing and comparing the three building codes, it was revealed that the Seattle and BCBC code were very similar in policy, but with minor differences in flexibility of space. To learn more about the code regulations for Point Access Block design in British Columbia, download our BCBC 2024 rev. 3 cheat sheet below.

What Could a PAB look like in British Columbia?

Our research teams conducted a series of massing and programming experiments to determine the full potentials of the new code policies. Split into two teams, each research group was required to abide by the BC building code for Point Access Block and Land-Use Bylaw requirements of the site in Denver, and any additional requirements outlined by the Buildner challenge. A 14.0m x 37.0m (46’-0 x 121’-0”) project site was chosen for the study, complying with the maximum parcel size requirements for PAB design. The project site is an existing surface parking lot near the downtown core, comparable to many PAB compliant site types that could be utilized for PAB design in British Columbia. Each research team was then tasked with developing their own building program and design rational to implement into their experiments. Finally, each team was tasked with exploring several feasibility studies, to demonstrate how unit spaces could be divided within floor spaces, and how parking, building services, and amenity spaces fit within the overall building site to maximize spatial efficiency. Overall, the result was that Point Access Block provides a greater opportunity to create meaningful, efficient, and high quality design both internally and externally on these small site conditions than a traditional double egress development could ever hope to achieve.

DP Approved For This Exciting Missing Middle Project!

The Development Permit has been approved for the Tuxedo 4 Plex! This missing middle project by Magno Development offers eight dwellings within a single building on a compact site in Calgary’s inner northeast neighbourhood of Tuxedo. The at-grade suites include a covered entrance porch leading to an open living and kitchen layout with the three bedrooms and ensuite bathroom on the upper level. The below-grade suites offer a comfortable living area, two bedrooms, and private sunken patios.

To learn more about our design choices for this missing middle project click below!

Development Permit Approved for Greystone South Townhomes!

The Development Permit has been approved for Avalon Master Builder's Emerge Greystone South!

This multi-family townhome development will introduce 58 homes to the Town of Cochrane, featuring two distinct building types: stacked townhouses and three-storey units with double garages. The simple shed forms of the townhouse buildings take inspiration from the industrial areas that surround the community that have over time been repurposed over time into more urban spaces. The exteriors feature simple massing, bold materials, and a pop of colour on the entry doors.

The project is just north this project is our Zen Greystone project, which are Avalon's Net Zero townhouses for purchase.

Click the button to read more on this project!

Welcome Paul!

We're excited to welcome Paul, our newest Project Architect, to Gravity Architecture's Calgary office! With almost a decade of experience, Paul brings his breadth of experience and creativity to the team. He began his career in architecture after completing a Business Degree at Mount Royal University, later earning his Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary in 2016.

Paul's architectural journey started during his time working with a home builder during his undergraduate studies. His career has included time at both a design-build firm to a boutique architecture studio, allowing him to hone his skills across a range of both modest and high-end residential projects.

One of his standout achievements is his participation in the Winter City Design competition, where he showcased his innovative project “Illumine” for the City of Calgary. This award-winning public project underscores his passion for creating community-focused spaces.

We are thrilled to have him join the Gravity team! To learn more about Paul click the button below!

The Guild – Calgary's University District Luxury Townhomes!

This week, CTV News Calgary interviewed Crystal Creek Homes’ Sales Manager, Andrea Irwin, about the highly anticipated Guild Townhomes in the University District. The Gravity team is thrilled to hear about the public's enthusiasm for these homes and is proud to be part of this buzz-worthy development, which will offer luxury spaces for residents seeking low-maintenance living with high-quality features—including elevators in each unit!

Calgary's University District is rapidly expanding and has become one of the most sought-after areas in the city. During the CTV interview, Irwin shared that building luxury homes in such a desirable location is what truly sets Guild Townhomes apart.

Whether designed for empty nesters looking to embrace modern living with comfort and convenience as a priority, or for families who will appreciate the 2-3 bedroom floorplans and customizable design elements, the Guild Townhomes are sure to meet a variety of lifestyle needs. Irwin highlighted, “We have a wide variety of buyers that are looking towards living at Guild townhomes, the maintenance free living, whether you're busy working long hours or simply just wanting to lock and leave and go travel for six months, Guild offers this maintenance-free living."

CTV also asked for more details about what makes these homes truly luxurious. “What makes them unique and so incredible is that we are offering private elevators for every one of our town homes. So whether you use it as a service list for groceries, luggage or perhaps mobility issues, it takes you all the way from your ground level to your private rooftop terrace.,” explained Irwin.

Gravity solved Crystal Creek’s challenges regarding how to integrate these elevators into each unit of the three-storey buildings. Because an elevator pierces each floor plate inflexibly, our team designed the elevators to fit into a fixed location on each floor while still maintaining easy access to essential spaces throughout the homes.

Click the link here to watch the full CTV interview! You can also access our page with more details on Gravity’s design process and the challenges we solved for these homes by clicking the button below.

Student Research! Let's Discuss Single-Stair Housing

Gravity Architecture is pleased to be partnering with the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning + Landscape this fall as we research the implications and policy amendments surrounding single-stair egress in medium density residential projects - also known as a Point Access Block (PAB) development. Through SAPL’s Workplace Integrated Learning program, Gravity is collaborating with a cohort of 5 senior SAPL M.Arch students to explore the qualities of PAB, led by our own SAPL alumni: Noel Heard and Maureen Carrigy.

This summer, the government of British Columbia announced their intention to change the BC building code to allow for small residential apartment buildings (up to six storeys) to be built with only one means of egress - a single exit stairwell core. This type of development is common outside of North America and at Gravity we are often impressed by international buildings that utilize this technique as they offer a level of efficiency to small sites that our current building practices don’t allow for in Canada. The potential that PAB design offers to expand the range of housing available in the British Columbia market will be immensely impactful in mitigating the housing crisis. PAB provides a new set of tools that will allow developers to build residential architecture more efficiently and on a wider range of sites. To ignite our research and hopefully curate a proposal that supports policy change in favour of PAB’s, we looked to jurisdictions in North America already experimenting with this typology, such as Seattle, and made the decision to have our research team participate in the Buildner Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge for Point Access Block housing. By participating in the competition, we believe this will provide our research team the best opportunity to develop a strong, robust, proposal and provide a mechanism that effectively tests the potential of Point Access Block in very realistic conditions.

Point Access Block (PAB) housing is a common and efficient residential design method used in urban environments across most of the world, especially Europe. This design approach, characterized by a single staircase that serves all units, supports high-density living, promotes walkable neighborhoods, and enhances urban sustainability through the utilization of smaller infill sites otherwise left undeveloped. However, despite these benefits, this housing typology is largely absent in North America due to stringent building codes that mandate dual staircases for building egress above two or three stories. These restrictive regulations have contributed to the housing crisis by limiting the diversity and affordability of housing options given the land-area requirements for traditional multi-housing development.

Over 12 weeks of researching and experimenting, we aim to explore and highlight the limitations of restrictive building codes and strive for change to allow for the Single-Stair building typology. By showcasing innovative designs, the studio seeks to influence building code changes that will allow for more diverse, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions in North America. Our goal is to research, learn, and ultimately curate feasible designs to submit to the Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge. Split into two research teams, the students have been enlisted with designing a mid-rise, single stair residential building on a site outlined by the competition brief, under the mentorship of Gravity Architecture. The designs will maximize the potential of the site, promote sustainability, enhance the visual and functional character of the neighborhood, and be respectful of realistic budgets and construction practices. By participating in a design competition based in Denver, it is our goal to use the lessons learned to better understand how change can be implemented within the Canadian context.

Development Permit Approved for University District Townhomes!

We are thrilled to share that the Development Permit for Crystal Creek's University Townhomes has been approved! This 40-unit townhouse project in Calgary's University District specifically addresses aging in place with comfort and convenience. Unique features of these homes include an elevator in each unit that travels to every floor, including a roof top patio!

Parks surround the site allowing residents to feel connected to the outdoors. They also offers direct access to the city's regional pathways.

Stay tuned on more updates for this exciting project, and click below to read more!

Development Permit Released for OPUS'S The Nines!

The Development Permit for "The Nines" by OPUS is now released!

This exciting new mixed-use project is located at the intersection of Elbow Drive and Southland Drive, bordering Calgary's Southwood and Haysboro communities. The development will feature 13,500 square feet dedicated to a variety of commercial spaces, including a fitness centre. Above, 85 apartments with views of the city and mountains will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations.

Casual observers may think that architectural design is mainly massing and facade treatments. However, one of the significant design challenges Gravity solved with this project was providing barrier-free access from both Elbow Drive and Southland Drive given the slopes of both street and the site itself, and limits to the depth the parking garage could be sunk. By sloping the vehicle access down from the lane along the west side of the building before starting the underground ramp we were able to keep the garage shallow and the doors at street level.

We are thrilled to collaborate with OPUS to transform this vacant lot into a mixed-use building that not only provides essential housing but also brings welcome new commercial space into this established community.

Click below to read more about The Nines mixed-use!

Construction Progress for Sage Hill Townhomes!

Construction is underway for Sage Hill Towns!

This development by Logel Homes is in the northwest community of Sage Hill and features 52, three-storey townhomes across ten buildings. The landscaping includes private and common outdoor amenity space, with the common area defined by a central pergola for people to gather. With privacy as a priority we also included private fenced-in patios for majority of the units, and ensured each unit to have their own balconies.

There was an opportunity to have the grading of this parcel allow for two distinct entry styles. We designed one entry to be lower and be below the level of the garage entry. The second is similar to a split level— with the entry elevated at a landing between the garage and main living levels.

We are very pleased with how the Sage Walk Townhomes are coming along. Click below to learn more about the project and view more photographs of the construction progress!

What is Prefab? What is Modular? Let's Discuss!

What is Prefab? What is Modular? Let's Discuss!

Prefabrication describes any process where some of building construction happens off site. It offers efficiency and quality control not available on the construction site. Walls being framed off site and craned into place is an example of prefabrication.

Modular construction is a type of prefabrication where entire parts of the building are built off site, and then transported to the site as needed. Each module is self-contained including drywall, windows, cabinetry, toilets, flooring, plumbing, mechanical systems, electrical wiring, etc. This comprehensive assembly ensures that when the modules arrive at the construction site they are ready to be joined together on a foundation and connected to municipal services. Modular construction allows for homes to be completed on-site very quickly, with the entire project potentially being erected within a matter of days.

The modules for Avalon Master Builder’s Net Zero Seton Townhomes are produced by Grandeur Housing in Manitoba and erected by Big Block Construction. There is a module for each floor of each unit. They are transported by truck to the site and stacked via crane onto a site-built insulated concrete form foundation. Exterior finishes for this project will be applied post-assembly.

This is Gravity's first project of this kind—but not the last—as we are working with Avalon to complete a portion of the Greystone Towns project in Cochrane in the same manor. Stay tuned for exciting updates!

DP released for Avalon's Greystone Townhomes in Cochrane!

The Development Permit has been released for the Zen Greystone Townhomes by Avalon Master Builder!

These townhomes have been designed to meet the needs of various family sizes and provide energy-efficient solutions throughout its design. The classic gable roof, oriented for sun potential, can host a solar array for energy efficiency supporting Avalon's Net Zero strategy.

Avalon prioritizes Net Zero and Net Zero Ready homes in their projects, including this one. The Zen townhomes are available for rental-only and their Emerge projects will be available for purchase. We have collaborated closely with Avalon on various projects to help them meet their Net Zero goals, and we are proud to celebrate the strides forward we have made together through this journey.

The construction process for the walls of the homes will use a prefabricated method which will help the townhomes be built as efficiently and quickly as possible. Construction is just around the corner, so stay tuned for updates as things progress for the community of Greystone, in Cochrane, Alberta!

Click below to learn more about this exciting project!

DP Released for Avalon's Net Zero Mixed Use!

The Development Permit has been released for Avalon’s Net Zero Mixed Use building!

This mixed-use five-story building will feature 56 apartment units, ranging from 550 to 1250 square feet, available in one and two-bedroom configurations. It will also house Avalon’s new headquarters, several other commercial units, and provide an underground parkade.

What makes this project so exciting is that it is part of a larger Avalon development that includes Avalon's Seton Townhome project. All the buildings on this site will incorporate Net Zero initiatives. Further, the townhomes will be prefabricated to quickly meet the area's housing demand ensuring the construction process moves as efficiently as possible.

We initially explored a mass-timber approach to the structure of this building. This structure would have provided more open, flexible office spaces on the lower levels, yet allow the more compartmentalized one and two-bedroom units on the upper floors. During this exploration, we drew inspiration from the natural hierarchy of a tree—from trunk to branch to twig—to guide our design. Although we eventually decided against using mass timber due to the lower fire resistance requirements for this building size, the concept of a tree's natural hierarchy still influenced the final design, and is visible in the arrangement of balconies, windows, and material joints on the facade.

We are thrilled that this development permit release will now allow us to move forward with the construction phase. As the project progresses, we'll continue to share updates on this important project. Click the button below to learn more.

Crane Spotted at Shaganappi!

Crane!

Not only is the crane now on site at NAI Advent's Shaganappi Multi project, but the Development Permit was just released!

Adjacent to Bow Trail, the Shaganappi Multi will deliver 99 residential units in Calgary’s southwest community of Shaganappi. The development will provide studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom options for rent, ranging from 475 to 1200 square feet in area.

The unit identity, façade articulation, and balcony privacy are achieved through a pixelated three-dimensional composition integral to the architectural massing. This hyperarticulation responds to privacy adjacencies— smaller balconies with less glazing are located higher and positioned to reduce overlook into neighbours’ yards. Rectangular ‘pixels’ puncture the massing to carve outdoor amenity spaces within the façade while simultaneously facilitating porosity for natural lighting and views. The ‘C’ shaped building form was designed to maximize the number of units through the use of a double loaded corridor. As a result, a private amenity courtyard is naturally formed within the confines of the building mass, with a large portion of the available units having views to this sheltered landscaped space.

The Shaganappi Multi is a sister project to the Killarney Multi which is also making progress in construction!

Click below to find out more about the Shaganppi Multi!

Bowness 24 Multi Construction Almost Complete!

The construction for the Bowness 24 Multi Residential is making progress—we are excited to share an update on this unique addition to Calgary northwest community of Bowness!

The Bowness community is divided into two centres. The Main Street shops are situated on the east side of the CP mainline, while the community hall, high school, and grocery store are centrally located on the west side. Although Bowness is predominantly a low-density community, the western centre is adjacent to a pocket of multi-residential development.

The Bowness 24 Multi stands out as a more contemporary building compared to the neighbouring townhouse clusters and low-rise apartments. It provides much-needed density with 1 and 2 bedroom units and offers an urban interpretation of the smaller-scale multifamily buildings nearby. The building's design features an intentionally restrained palette the uses white Hardie lap siding against dark corrugated metal cladding, complemented by the warmth of the wood soffit. A low-sloped roof with generous overhangs reinforces the residential architectural language. Surface parking is provided at the rear of the building for both occupants and visitors.

Click below to learn more!

Net Zero for Arbour Lake!

We are proud to share the Emerge Arbour Lake townhome project by Avalon Master Builders - featuring seven Net Zero upper unit townhomes!

Avalon Master Builder and our design team closely collaborated on this project to pursue Net Zero and Net Zero-ready townhomes for Calgary’s Arbour Lake community. We are excited to celebrate our goal for Net Zero in all the upper units, while also ensuring the lower units are Net Zero ready.

The seven stacked, two-storey rental-only townhomes use rooftop solar panels and heat pumps to meet help achieve Net Zero for the upper units. The lower units are Net Zero ready. None of the units will be connected to a natural gas supply!

The project is will aim to be recognized as Alberta's only Net Zero and Net Zero ready multi-family community! The homes will also be one of the few rental-only spaces in the area, making them available for a variety of families and demographics.

Be sure to click below to learn more about Avalon's Emerge Arbour Lake Net Zero townhomes!

Killarney Multi Underway!

Strategically located just a few blocks away from Calgary's popular 17th Avenue — a commercial corridor and Main Street focused on further redevelopment - the Killarney Multi is a 96 unit building by NAI Advent that will soon become a significant addition to the area.

This multi-residential project will benefit from the new land use amendments and infrastructure improvements brought about by the redevelopment of the 37th Street Main Street. The architectural design of the project highlights unit identity, facade articulation, and balcony privacy with a pixelated three-dimensional look. Lower parts of the building have traditionally stacked balconies, while side-facing units have none to reduce overlook onto the adjacent low density housing. This design enhances visibility around the building edges, especially at the corner site. Rooftop amenity spaces are placed to maximize sun exposure and views, creating a visually appealing urban living environment.

There are numerous design considerations that went into this project—be sure to click below to read the full description on the Killarney Multi.

Progress at Summit 77!

Exciting progress is being made on the Summit 77 project by Partners Development Group!

Our latest photographs offer a expanded view into the site development of Summit 77, which will bring 22 rowhouse buildings to Calgary's Springbank Hill community. With a total of 110 units and a large parcel size of 5.28 ha, our design team had an opportunity to create more housing density for the area. This is an important consideration as the community consists of mainly single-family detached homes.

Click the button to read about the special considerations and challenges we navigated as we designed the Summit 77.