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.

Video Release! 1601 Kensington Brought To Life.

Video Release! We are excited to showcase the proposed 1601 Kensington project.

This multi-story, mixed-use building was to be located on the western edge of the Kensington shopping district in northwest Calgary. Although the project has been suspended, we still wanted to showcase our vision for the project. Noel Heard, one of Gravity's Intern Architects, created the animations, and Bryce Baker from Clasual, produced the video. Together they created this visual narrative that illustrates the objectives and potential of 1601 Kensington.

This 8-story project was slated for development on the vacant lot at the southwest corner of Kensington Road and 14th Street NW. The project aimed to enhance the housing options in one of Calgary's most established communities. Our team remains enthusiastic and committed to creating similarly impactful multi-residential and mixed-use projects throughout BC and Alberta.

We hope you enjoy the video! Click below to learn more about the work and considerations that went into 1601 Kensington.

University District Project Makes the News!

Check out Calgary Herald’s article on the University Towns project by Crystal Creek Homes!

Last week it was a pleasant surprise to see the highly anticipated University Towns project be featured in the Calgary Herald. This large park-facing parcel in the University District has definitely been generating some buzz, and with our Development Permit now submitted we look forward to keep our followers updated on this 40 unit, three-storey townhome development!

Calgary Herald’s article highlights a variety of features for the project including its prominent location west of the University of Calgary along with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains. The article captures the luxurious features of these homes and it will undoubtedly spark excitement for future residents curious about University District living.

Click the button below to read the full article!

Seeing Results for Thrive Towns

Thrive Towns are seeing significant construction progress!

Maureen Carrigy, one of our Intern Architects, got to take a scenic drive south to Okotoks and captured a great shot of this stacked townhouse project by Partners Development Group. This development is a part of Anthem Properties’ 280-acre D’Arcy Ranch community overlooking the D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club and the Rocky Mountains to the West. It will include twelve three-storey buildings, each with either eight or ten units in a stacked configuration. The project consists of units that range from 1400 to 1500 square feet. Each unit features open floor plans and private outdoor spaces that include either at-grade patios or private balconies. 

All phases of our work relies on the close collaboration with our client and the consultants to ensure that each project when completed meets the team’s expectations. Maureen’s visit was one of many Gravity pays to the site over the course of construction to review progress and solve problems as they come up in the field. Our team is grateful to have such a great working relationship with engaged clients like Partners. We love celebrating the progress we are making together!

Click below to learn more about The Thrive Towns project and it’s the Prairie Style inspired architectural design. Also, consider subscribing to our newsletter from the sidebar to hear about more exciting Gravity projects ahead!

OPUS's 'The Nines' Breaking Ground!

We're thrilled to celebrate the progress on 'The Nines,' which OPUS recently broke ground on!

If you can spot the hardhat with the G on it, you'll see our principal, Trent, enjoying a sunny day with the eager project team all ready to get construction underway. 'The Nines' will be an 85-unit mixed-use development for OPUS, located at the intersection of Elbow Drive and Southland Drive in Calgary’s Haysboro community. We are now on our way to providing the community with a six-storey building featuring 16,000 square feet of retail space below the 85 apartments. Our updated renderings below give you a sneak peek of what's to come!

The residential units, ranging from 450 to 1300 square feet, will span the second to sixth floors. They will be available in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations, each offering private balconies accessible from the main bedroom and living room.

One challenge encountered in the design was integrating an underground parking structure into the constrained depth resulting from the site's slope from one corner to the other. Our objective was to ensure barrier-free entrances from both streets, along with creating an inviting streetscape for both the main entrance and the retail areas facing the public streets.

We’re proud to be a part of a team providing more housing for Calgarians and opportunity for businesses.

As construction on 'The Nines' gets out of the ground, we'll continue to showcase its progress. To learn more about how we tackled the design challenges and explore the project’s unique features, click the button below!

University Towns Development Permit Submitted!

Gravity is delighted to share that we have submitted the development permit for the University Towns!

The University District Towns is a 40 unit townhome development for Crystal Creek Homes set out to provide empty nesters looking to downsize more housing options that won’t compromise their lifestyle. Each of the six buildings has between four and eight units and all offer a mix of two-to-three-bedroom configurations each just under 2,000 square feet.

Directly west of the site there will be a future park planned for residents to have direct access to. There will be an additional access point between two of the buildings that leads directly to the City’s regional pathway. Once the park to the west is complete, the townhouses will be surrounded by park space on three sides offering residents a beautiful green space to enjoy as their backyard.

To address the University District's request that this project not mimic the existing surrounding buildings, we chose darker and moodier exterior tones that still respond the modern aesthetic of the community. We complemented these tones with a long reddish brick, adding a sophisticated and classic touch to the contemporary massing.

The interior paved laneway grants residents access to 80 parking stalls inside private garages, and is accessible for visitors to walk through to reach the green space to the north from the street to the south. Additional parking for guests is available on the street.

Our clients recognized the importance of aging in place— therefore, each home has an elevator that goes to every floor. This represented a significant design challenge, but it wasn’t something Crystal Creek wanted to compromise on so we were able to successfully address this throughout the design process.

The development permit has just been submitted. We couldn’t be prouder to be the design team behind these inclusively designed homes.

Click the link below to read more and follow our socials to keep updated on University Towns progress!

Architectural Technologies Industry Night!

Our team had an exceptional time at SAIT’s AT Industry Night, hosted by the Architectural Technologies Student Association.

Last Thursday Gravity had the opportunity to speak with students about all things architecture and were able to answer some important questions they had. We know transitioning from school to the workplace can be an intimidating endeavour, so we were honoured to have the chance to ease some students’ minds and spark inspiration for their future careers.

We had select team members attend—all SAIT graduates—who poured their hearts into the event. Chris brought his energetic personality as he shared Gravity’s work and his experience as a Project Manager. He was joined by Intern Architect Maureen with her diverse industry background who is currently pursuing her registration as an architect, and by our passionate junior AT, Julianne who has adjusted to working at Gravity seamlessly since graduating from SAIT’s AT program in May 2023. There’s no doubt students were in good hands voicing their anxieties and excitement about this field.
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Students mentioned a few specific projects of Gravity’s that they used as inspiration for their own projects throughout the semesters—some including our Mission 19, Opus Nines, and Shaganappi Multi. This was very humbling to hear and we are grateful to see how our work can inspire new generations of students.

We thank SAIT for providing students with essential networking events like these and look forward to next year. It’s an easy yes for Gravity to attend when we get the chance to talk about what we love most!

Moving in to Mission Flats!

Gravity is pleased to share that residents are now calling Mission Flats home.

Mission Flats is a five-storey, 67 unit residential development by NAI Advent that was designed to fit in with both the traditional and modern brick apartment blocks that form the immediate context of this site. We also designed the building to have symmetrical massing to complement the adjacent older buildings. In addition, our team designed a thick roof that appears to float above the top floor, adding a contemporary element to the composition.

While residents are currently moving in during the winter, we are looking forward to springtime progress so the residents of the eleven garden suites can take advantage of the beautiful landscaped areas that will surround the building!

We thrive on finding solutions that add value for both our clients and the communities that we work in. One of our goals with this project was to efficiently offer Calgarians more housing options in the high-density community of Mission, and Mission Flats has achieved this. We are deeply passionate about addressing the housing needs of Canadians and take great satisfaction in witnessing the spaces we’ve designed being occupied with new residents.

To learn more about Mission Flats click below.

Welcome John, our new Permits and Contract Administration Coordinator!

John joined Gravity in May 2023 after graduating from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). John is passionate about art and design and has maintained numerous creative hobbies that have led him to a career in architecture. His pursuit stemmed from hours spent sketching, drawing and playing Mindcraft. These hobbies allowed John to continuously challenge himself creatively and motivate him to learn new skills that he could use in his both his personal and professional life.

John worked on multiple projects while at SAIT — one including a design for an on-campus building that required his team to complete on a very tight schedule. This focus and solution-seeking mindset does not go unnoticed and his enthusiasm is evident through his work at Gravity.

A couple of John’s favourite projects are our Shaganappi Multi and Emerge Arbour Lake. He is an active Revit user, and enjoys editing and working with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom in his free time. Whenever John is not utilizing his artistic skillsets, he can be found outside hiking, playing soccer, or learning a new sport!

We are excited to welcome John, and have his creative mindset and fresh perspective be an addition to our team!

Our 2023 Year in Review

Gravity is proud to announce occupancy of 268 residential units and 10 commercial units last year.

These numbers are meaningful to us as they represent both the businesses and the individuals who now call these spaces home. Our ongoing transition from designing small-scale projects to being the architect for larger and more complex developments indicates our growing commitment to address the housing crisis that is having major impacts on all the communities we work in.

We recognise the housing challenges faced by many Canadians, and our goal is to continue to acknowledge this and find solutions that allow developers to produce high-quality, livable housing as efficiently as possible. As architects, we have a social responsibility that goes beyond just quantities. While we continue to work with developers to solve their practical problems with their projects, we are also focussed on design solutions that squarely meet each community needs.

Major cities like Vancouver are also facing hardships from a loneliness epidemic—meaning it is crucial that organizations seek out compassionate solutions to help support these efforts. Gravity is passionate about pushing the boundaries of what housing looks like, and the well-being of those who reside within it. With this in mind, our team is dedicated to contribute intuitive designs that offer residents not only spacious and light-filled rooms, but accessible and people-centred community that allow for human connection.

In addition to our commitment of addressing housing concerns, we are committed to designing more NetZero developments. It is important for our clients to know that we are not just thinking about the climate crisis, but taking action when it comes to sustainable housing.

We are proud of the achievements we made in the last year and motivated to continue to expand this work. Our 2024 approach will remain the same, as these challenges are not something that can be solved overnight but require an ever-evolving approach that aims to foster community engagement, encourage economic growth, support client success, and involve neighbourhoods in a more sustainable future.

We’re looking forward to 2024!

Seton West Phase 2 DP Approval

Development permit approved for this forward-thinking transit oriented development

Seton West Phase 2 is a three-building multi-residential project designed for Logel Homes on the south edge of the community of Seton. The development has three buildings with a total of 238 units and features two 4-storey buildings and one 5-storey. Bordered by a stormwater pond to the north and the future Green Line LRT platform to the east, making this an important development for small to medium sized families who value sustainability and accessibility. The landscape design offers exterior gathering spaces for opportunities to connect with neighbours and gather with friends and family via a shared pathway system. Additionally, off-leash dog areas are accessible from the walking paths allowing residents the freedom to explore with their furry companions. This LRT Line is highly anticipated by Calgarians, and Seton West’s convenient access—along with its impressive landscape—allows first-time home owners, families, or retired individuals to enjoy these amenities with ease and comfort.

Each building, housing 1- and 2-bedroom units, features large black frames that integrate the balconies into the façade, creating a striking visual effect. These frames are consistent in height across all the buildings, establishing a cohesive horizontal datum that is complemented by a clean, uninterrupted roofline. The entrances to each building are marked by distinct rectangular white arches, supporting canopies that accompany the black frame elements. The buildings have been designed for maximum sun exposure, therefore units will have light-filled spaces, open floor plans, and large balconies. 

We are thrilled to share this Development Permit approval and further modernize residential design, with the added benefits of nature, convenience and community. Click here to find more information on this project. 

Zen Mahogany NetZero Towns & Care Facility DP Approved!

Our team is thrilled to announce the DP approval for the Zen Mahogany NetZero Residential & Care Facility!

Situated in Calgary's southeast community of Mahogany, this project an example of sustainable and family-oriented development. It features a mix of residential buildings, including several townhome typologies offering a total of 144 residential units with 1-3 bedroom configurations.

A key aspect of this development is its integrated Care Facility, which provides 24/7 support for individuals with diverse care needs. Our goal with this design is to help keep multi-generational families together and to help curb the loneliness epidemic. We ensured to foster a connection with the outdoors, as that is essential for mental health and well-being, especially for those with limited mobility. 

Responding to the client’s design brief, this building’s exterior imbues a sense of warmth with durable materials reflecting a wood-grain metal cladding, white board and batten, and black metal siding, accented with mass timber elements, maximizing the allowable glazing on each side to achieve airy, light-filled rooms. In addition to residential spaces, the development includes outdoor amenities like landscaped patios and covered porches with built-in seating.

We are driven by the challenge to continually address zoning, density, and accessibility issues and are excited with the progress achieved alongside Avalon Master Builders in taking steps towards creating more sustainable and inclusive living environments.

For more information on this project click here.

Welcome Julianne, our New Architectural Technologist!

Julianne Brewer is a talented and focused technologist who has demonstrated sensitivity in her understanding of the creative and practical elements of architectural design. She began her architectural career with a specialisation in Architectural Technologies, and joined Gravity after graduating from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 2023. Her education featured notable achievements like winning the 2022 Offsite Design Competition and earning the Pacific Capital Properties Corp. (PCRE) SAIT AT Capstone Award for a mixed-use modular construction project. 

Known for her collaborative and amiable predisposition, Julianne possesses the requisite technical education and background that endows her with fundamental skills for creative problem solving—her desk is always organised!

As an integral part of our production team, Julianne works closely with the Principals, Project Architects and Project Managers to ensure that the technical aspects of each project align with the client’s vision with accuracy and integrity.

In her spare time, she reads and draws, loving to explore the intersection between art and science. A true knowledge-seeker and an innovative thinker, Julianne is steadily working toward becoming a registered architect and aspires to push the boundaries of residential design, making it more sustainable, accessible, and beautiful. She is also interested in other typologies, such as care home design and supportive design for vulnerable persons. We are thrilled to have Julianne become part of Gravity’s growing family.

Richmond Fourplex Rowhouse Complete!

Optima has now completed the Richmond Fourplex, located in the vibrant southwest community of Richmond. Drawing influence from the Rocky Mountains, the project features a dynamic roofline and strategic stepped architecture to address the challenges of its steep site.

Consisting of four units, each with a basement suite, the Richmond Fourplex prioritizes spacious, light-filled interiors, utilizing large west-facing windows to maximize natural light, creating inviting living spaces. Recognising the importance of privacy in multi-family housing, the design includes private above-grade rear patios, sunken patios, and detached garages for each unit.

We employed a stepped design, adapting to the slope and forming a visually appealing, slope-adaptive building to address the challenge of creating a spacious rowhouse on a steep site. The innovative use of the garage as a retaining wall reduces the need for additional structures between the houses, resulting in a well-massed building that accommodates 4 livable homes and 4 generously spaced basement suites.

Keep your eyes peeled for this mountain-inspired building next time you're visiting the community of Richmond! For more information on this project, click the button below.

Advent's Killarney Multi DP Approval

The Development Permit for Advent’s Killarney Multi has just been approved!⁠

We are pleased to announce there is more housing coming to Calgary! Characterized by a facade with an alternating pattern of white aluminum and charred wood-toned cladding, this 78,000 ft², 6-storey building will contain 96 units along the 37th Street SW “Mainstreet” corridor, providing convenient access to transit and amenities. We are very grateful (and pleasantly surprised!) for the overall excitement and acceptance of this project from the community of Killarney into their established but evolving neighbourhood, as their support made the Development Approval process constructive and quick.

Offering 1, 2, and 3-bedroom configurations spanning 470 ft² to 1300 ft² layouts, units boast generous oversized balconies, underground parking, and rooftop amenity spaces that are contextually responsive to views and sun exposure. This design aims to enhance the quality of life for occupants and offers opportunities for social collisions and deeper engagement with neighbours in the fully landscaped, interior courtyard.

Since the DP submission, we’ve made some changes to the façade: The Killarney Multi’s exterior will now be complimented by a soft white corrugated metal siding, which will provide a deeper contrast to the wood and metal elements found elsewhere on the exterior design.

Find out more here.