Building Attractive, Affordable Housing North of the Border ❄️

One of the compelling elements of travel for me is to check out architectural style and urban design in other markets with different laws, zoning regulations and construction.

In Calgary, Canada they are taking some single family lots turning them into townhouses in an area with a similar street width and density of construction as the West End of Allentown.

Canada is ahead of the US in revamping housing laws because, get ready to spit your coffee out, their housing is more expensive: 35-50% of a Canadians income goes to housing!

1) A Modified In-Law Suite

The concept of a basement unit is that it helps alleviate costs in several ways. A homeowner could rent out the lower level to “house hack,” earning rent to subsidize the mortgage. It’s also an ideal space for a younger or older relative to live in. Lastly, it could serve as a nanny suite, helping reduce childcare expenses.

I’ve often heard these basement units described as ideal for people in more transitional phases of life — from temporary workers to college-aged kids who need a place to stay for a summer or a semester.

I also like that the aesthetic can feel elevated, whether through a more traditional design or something more avant-garde.

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Example 2 )--The side entry

A lot of the above is the same for this unit. I feel like this unit has more of a Lego design feel to it but I do like the side entrance as it helps with privacy which is a concern as you build denser. The “row” part of this home has a different entrance and I like architecture that has some flexibility.

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Example 3 -- a little denser now)

Nine families can live on this half-acre, and I’d like to make an important point: this type of construction doesn’t need to be repeated lot after lot. A simple zoning guideline could state that only one of these homes may be built per block.

In the part of Calgary where I stayed, the city used a grid-based system, so drafting such a rule shouldn't be complicated. The advantage is clear — it allows for the integration of density within suburban areas. You could easily imagine one of these units housing a small coffee shop, a barber, or even a gym.

The architecture itself is handsome and, in my view, would not detract from neighboring property values from a curb-appeal standpoint. In fact, the more of these that are built thoughtfully and in moderation, the more farmland we can preserve.

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Alright, thats enough photos from me, what do you think, there is not a one size solution to fix housing, but I thought this was a novel and considerate approach.

Stephen