Wolf Geisler with Poon McKenzie Architects has a particular project that he is especially proud of. A while ago, Habitat for Humanity decided to embark upon a different type of project than they are usually known for. Instead of producing one home at a time, they decided that they needed to create a multi-family community. This Community of Townhome-style homes created a whole new series of design obstacles, and Wolf was just the architect to take on these challenges. Overcoming these challenges is part of what makes Suncourt one of Wolf’s favourite projects.

Wolf says one thing that was unique about the project was its space restrictions. Habitat homes allow 900 square feet per bungalow home, but in this instance each two-level home was only allotted that same square footage. You might think that this was as easy as dividing the space in two, however there was a staircase to take into consideration as well. The challenge was to create these homes with the same spaces as regular three-bedroom homes, without feeling cramped.

“We needed to work within tight parameters while offering a degree of flexibility,” says Wolf. “This means that the design would allow for different furniture arrangements in each room.”

The main floor of these homes consists of two squares, which provided an open-concept design, while using less material for walls. Cost efficiency was yet another challenge to meet, so details such as this were important to the completion of the design.

Another consideration was storage, and the plans needed to provide the same amount of closet space as home-owners have become accustomed to. This was achieved by incorporating full-sized closets in the bedrooms, and a bank of closets in the upper hallway, which in effect turned that space into the storage room. Dual access to the bathroom, including one from the master bedroom, effectively turn it into an ensuite.

As well, the basement included a three-piece rough-in for the family who might want to incorporate another bathroom. Details such as these allowed a small floor plan to feel like a larger home.

However, the space restrictions were not the only challenges to be met. Not only were these homes built cost-efficiently, but they were designed for future cost-efficiency and sustainability.

In order to reduce future heating costs, it was decided that passive solar energy needed to be utilized. This type of energy is the same type that warms green houses, and involves placing the majority of the windows
facing south in order to maximize the intake of natural sunlight in the winter. This principal is called radiant energy, and involves the change in wave-length of the sunlight as it passes through the glass, and its inability to escape back the way it came. This trapped energy would reduce the cost of heating these homes.

“These same windows could be opened in the summer to release warm air, and blinds drawn to shade the sun,” says Wolf.

Additionally, the design of the landscaping included a line of trees that would shade during the summer, and lose their foliage in the winter months, allowing the sunlight through. The entire community was designed with every conceivable thought to sustainability and consideration of our environmental in the future.

Making better use of our resources can start with how we build our homes, and the design for the Habitat for Humanity community is a step in the right direction. There was more to designing this project than just creating a house. This design challenge included the inside floor plan with its space restrictions and comfort factors, the placement of the community and how those living in the community might interact, and the future of the environment. Wolf Geisler and Poon McKenzie undertook this complicated task and came up with admirable solutions, so it’s no wonder this design is one he’s proud of.