AffordableHousingDemonstrationProject

Affordable Housing
Demonstration Project

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the completed tri-plex.
The design represents modernization of the prairie ideal house with its repeated window pattern
and other geometric architectural detailing. Emphasis is on affordability, a simple foundation and
roof and siding. The porch at the front of the two - story house reaches out into the street, facilitating
street life and making it and its residents more a part of the community by enabling them to access
it directly, even to sit outside.
83

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
Winner of The Affordable Housing Demonstration Project in 1994, the tri-plex was the result of an
open competition, initiated by the City of Edmonton Planning and Development and the Innovative
Housing Committee. Its goal was to provide affordable and innovative duplex and triplex solutions
for an inner city lot 35’-0” wide by 120’-0” long. Completed in the fall of 1995, it is still fully occupied.
“This concept is a winner. It has a simple yet livable design
and makes innovative use of the site. The courtyard
encourages interaction, while the separate buildings allow
natural light into the neighbor’s yard and allow for good
amenity space. The unit facing the street is like a singlefamily
home with an inviting veranda in the front. The
barrier-free unit is a good feature. Overall, this design sets
a good precedent.”
The Jury
84

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above color-rendered site plan drawing highlights the landscaping and color contrast around
and between buildings. The project houses an inner south-facing outdoor courtyard space
measuring approximately 24’-0” by 24’-0” onto which each dwelling looks. Everyone is free to utilize
this space, a move designed to promote social interaction, bringing people together rather than
keeping them apart.
Local architects and homebuilders were invited to design affordable, innovative housing for a cityowned
lot at Baldwin at 12673 – 72 Street, allowing more flexible land use. Each housing unit had
to be priced below $86,000. At least one unit had to be suitable for families with children. Eight local
teams of architects, designers, and builders submitted proposals that included two or three units of
housing on the site. The five-person jury considered each entry’s affordability, effective design,
livability, neighborhood fit, and innovation. In the project’s jury report, Edmonton architect David
Murray noted “the two-building concept allows more light to reach the neighbor’s yard.”
85

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above drawing identifies the main floor plan complete with the ground floor of the two-story
home and the ground floor accessible dwelling. The resident of the accessible dwelling can visit the
other home from the back door facing the courtyard where there is a no-step entrance.
A simple flow-through circulation pattern is enabled with the absence of hall in the plan. This
deliberate omission facilitates accessibility. Efficient use of space characterizes all of my designs.
No doubt it is an offshoot of designing to accommodate wheelchairs. Clients in chairs and with other
disabilities necessitate the incorporation of extra space into the bathroom, kitchen, and master
bedroom.
The project was designed to accomplish several important goals not usually addressed in
Edmonton’s housing market. It had to accommodate low-income families, single parents, shared
accommodations, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Its flexibility allows one family to occupy
both buildings, encouraging multi-generational housing: extended households, which include
grandparents, young families with children or young adults living independently with disabilities.
Alternatively, two families can each occupy a building, or three separate families can inhabit each
unit.
86

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above drawing identifies the second floor plan of the two buildings. With limited circulation
space within the units – the smaller unit is 24’-0”by 24’-0” or 576 sq. ft. and the two-story unit is 24’-
0” by 32’-0” or 768 sq. ft. – allows for critical larger closet and storage space.
The integration of a courtyard into the design promotes social interaction rather than isolation. With
an aging population and reduced institutional care for the elderly, the idea of an accessible granny
suite like this project offers is timely.
Efficient use of space characterizes all of my designs. No doubt it is an offshoot of designing to
accommodate wheelchairs. Clients in wheelchairs and with other disabilities necessitate the
incorporation of extra space, especially in the bathroom, kitchen and master bedroom.
87

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the integration of this housing project into its existing neighborhood.
It can be seen as an illustration of successful community infill, encouraging inner - city communities,
which are often deserted as urban development continues in the suburbs. In my housing models, I
try to provide for both privacy and socialization. The future of accessible design in the community
is accessible community design: creating communities that are more accessible for everyone. This
design fits into the existing streetscape, yet at the same time sets the tone for what future
development could look like.
88

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
Features like on-grade access, open floor plans, a lower kitchen counter, lever door handles, grab
bars, accordion closet doors, and adjustable rod and shelf heights all help a variety of individuals.
The strategic uses of color and contrast plus changes in texture of ground and wall surfaces serve
as visual and tactile cues for those persons with visual and cognitive limitations.
At an open house for the general public, many visitors commented that the project would work well
for extended families. One woman considered that it would be perfect for her family, in which both
her sister and she take care of their aging mother. Currently, each drives from their home to their
mom’s house. This project would allow mom to live in the accessible dwelling and the sisters to live
in the other two dwellings. While enjoying their privacy, they would be within seconds of each other
in the event of an emergency.
As architect Bjarke Ingels (Yes is More) wrote in a recent interview, “The task of a city is a practical
one: to accommodate many people from all kinds of different backgrounds, age groups, social
groups, economic capacities, genders, religions, and so on. It has to enable them to co-habit a
limited amount of space successfully, in a way that maximizes the possibilities for each individual,
without limiting the possibilities for all the others.”
This project designed with sustainability, adaptability, and flexibility makes it suitable housing for
seniors and for people with disabilities. Their maximization of space, incorporation of light and
proximity to the amenities typical of inner-city housing enables the residents to age in place, a
growing concern among the number of seniors among us. Community, rather than isolation, is an
essential ingredient of their continued vigor and mental health, despite their abilities.
89

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the street facing home complete with the address sign of high contrast
white and black lettering.
90

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the kitchen area of the ground level accessible dwelling.
Most of the counter height is the standard 3’-0” from the floor. A lower counter, which is open
underneath extends into the living space. The counter can serve as a workspace and eating area
for someone sitting in a wheelchair. The sink is open underneath for easy wheelchair access.
91