Enter Neely Roth, design manager with Excel Homes, who says she has always liked homes and been interested in their design. “Since I was young I’ve always had an interest in looking at houses and looking through show homes,” says Roth. That curiosity has grown over the years, and spurred Roth to graduate from SAIT’s architectural technologies program.

“Four to five months after I graduated, in the fall of ‘99, I started with Excel Homes as a junior drafter,” she says. “I drafted production plans and such, and several years later I was given the opportunity to become the drafting manager.” In June 2005, Excel Homes split the drafting department into separate areas, creating a design department headed by Roth. This enabled Excel Homes to have a larger focus on their new model product development. “Over the past three years I have had the lead role in creating new innovative designs that have helped us stay competitive in the constantly changing Calgary market,” she says. “I have been with Excel since the beginning of my career and I still really enjoy what I’m doing.  It’s a fast-paced office environment with constant demand, and there are always challenges—but I thrive on that and I think that’s what keeps me focused and so interested in my job.”

One of the new homes designed by Roth is currently showcased in one of Excel’s show home parades. The Kingsbury is a two-storey home created to maximize the amount of living space on a 30-foot-wide lot while still allowing for a front-attached garage. “Excel Homes has really taken the lead on coming up with designs to accommodate this narrow lot product,” says Roth. “With 1,900 square-feet of living space, you would never guess this home was only 22 feet wide. This design incorporates the popular open concept idea, which is definitely a key factor in making a home feel larger than it is.” The Kingsbury is full of unique design features such as the large two-storey foyer and elegantly railed stairwell leading to the second floor and to the loft-style hallway above.

Also visible from the main foyer is the wall fireplace at the rear of the home that’s raised two feet off the floor and finished with attractive floor-to-ceiling tiles. This eye-catching feature is nestled between two windows that let light filter through the main floor during the day. Roth says the combination of a large open foyer and the attention-grabbing fireplace at the rear was one of her favourite elements. “These features create some visual interest and give you a great sense of arrival as soon as you walk through the front door of the Kingsbury,” she says. “That is something I feel is very important when designing a home; you need to have a good impact and feeling about the house as soon as you walk in.”

Roth works hard to ensure her home designs will appeal to a variety of potential homeowners. “When designing our plans I know that not everything will work for everyone, which is why we try to incorporate optional floor layouts to suite different people’s needs,” she explains. “For the Kingsbury plan, if you prefer the laundry room to be on the upper level, we have a floor option for that, or you can have a study area off the bonus room area. There are also a couple different optional master ensuite layouts.”
If you are interested in seeing this Excel home for yourself, you can visit the show home in Sage Hill at 41 Sage Valley Park N.W.