WHY I DECIDED ON DESIGNING THE XAVIER

FIRST, ESTABLISH WHAT I'M DOING

Over the next couple of weeks, I have decided to design backyard suites and houses that reflect a piece of my personality, but more of a window into who I am. As a people, each of us has something unique that we like to express in some form. It is easy to be lost within today's "consumer's" market, because we are often compartmentalized into generic groups to meet the mass consumption demands…..or  BLAH BLAH BLAH.

But seriously, when driving through new sub-burb communities, I find the new homes becoming less distinguishable and vibrant, like watching the scenery in the background of an old cartoon when the character is moving in the foreground. Thus, with the Calgary Land-use Bylaw as my guide, why not try to let go? And see what feels like, well, "me?"

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

Obviously, my standard plans are for marketing. Haha. But, if I were a homeowner about to design a backyard suite, I would ask if my suite is for personal usage or as a source of income? A personal use suite is a possible museum for the homeowner. That means, as the guest, you shouldn't touch anything unless given permission.

On the other hand, a garage suite used for income is more of a "relaxed" environment. Because we expect 'wear and tear' to the apartment. How the apartment looks is our "personal" approach to sell it. For this project, I decided to design for personal usage

WHAT INFLUENCED MY DESIGN?

I like to be as minimalistic as possible. And what I choose to add in, it MUST serve a form of purpose, or I will get rid of it. I guess I'm the perfect person to help move! HAHA. First, the suite's footprint is pretty straight forward; the shape is determined by maximizing the required setbacks established within the land-use bylaw. The roof pitches are low to meet the overall building height requirements. And the balcony across the front is for the amount of amenity space required.

ELEMENTS WITHIN MY DESIGN

Large windows and doors are my best way to connect to the surrounding environment. I want to see out, and I want as much natural light as possible in exchange. The choice to place a nanowall is to incorporate the balcony into the living room area, giving the living room an additional 6 feet. With the suite having only two garage bays, the remaining square footage went into the suite. Thus, a large front entry and an office within the loft was created. The combination of the bath and laundry creates a multi-purpose bathroom; and provides more functionality to the suite's flow. There are no framed-in closets on the upper floor, only millwork, to make each room feel more open and give each room its sense of style.

CHOICES OF MATERIALS

I love to use combinations of wood and brick. Brick screams to me, "strength and sustainability." Brick as an exterior finish is used sparingly due to its expensive costs; however, when used in significant amounts, it establishes a prominent elevation amongst its neighboring houses. The wood siding is to add a recognizable natural element to the front exterior. The brick and the wood siding together against the black stucco warm the exterior look of the home. The dark stucco is a "sleek" touch.
However, on the inside, there is a significant contrast where it is a combination of neutral whites against dark and light wood stains. This interior selection decision helps to keep the place bright but not too boring.

IN CONCLUSION

If you were to walk through the suite, I hope you would say, "this is cool." I don't expect you or anyone to agree with all of my decisions but to understand them. The focus of my design to have the person come inside and to be immediately at peace. Is there room for improvement or change? Absolutely! Thus, I would like to revisit this plan and see how I feel about it in the future.

If this was your garage suite, what would you change? If you were to design your space, what would you do? What are your must-haves?

TO SEE MORE OF THE XAVIER CLICK THE LINK BELOW!