A Contemporary Residence in Canada Deals With The Height Restrictions In Its Own Way

The Britannia Residence is located in Calgary, Alberta, in a neighborhood with strict height restrictions. It was impossible for the house to be two-storey high so instead the team at Shugarman Architecture + Design Inc raised it as high as possible while still respecting the restrictions. They also employed other means to give the house an open and airy feel. For example, they made use of floor-to-ceiling windows, they angled the roof up and out towards the valley and they created a below-grade garage which gives the impression of a taller building.

The drive-down garage gives the impression of a taller building without disregarding the height restrictions
The drive-down garage gives the impression of a taller building without disregarding the height restrictions
The communal areas are all combined into a single large space on one side of the house
The communal areas are all combined into a single large space on one side of the house
The house has a large backyard surrounded by fences and privacy walls
The house has a large backyard surrounded by fences and privacy walls

This beautiful single-family home is situated on the East Bank of the Elbow river but the river valley view can only be enjoyed from the front porch, adding one more restriction for the architects to deal with. The response to that was to create a large covered front yard and create privacy screens along the sidewalk. They also gave the living areas full-height windows and connected the indoor and the outdoor areas as best as possible through sliding doors and continuous design. The interior is bright, airy and open towards the outside all while maintaining a comfortable and intimate ambiance.

The entrance is positioned between the public and the private sections of the house
The entrance is positioned between the public and the private sections of the house
Large windows reveal beautiful views over the river valley and the backyard
Large windows reveal beautiful views over the river valley and the backyard
The interior design and decor are simple and subdued, putting an emphasis on the views
The interior design and decor are simple and subdued, putting an emphasis on the views
The general design approach was to center the outdoor functions towards the back of the house in favor of more privacy
The general design approach was to center the outdoor functions towards the back of the house in favor of more privacy
The living areas are framed by windows and sliding doors on almost all sides and has a very open and exposed feel
The living areas are framed by windows and sliding doors on almost all sides and has a very open and exposed feel
The private rooms of the house overlook the backyard and have a more sheltered and subdued design
The private rooms of the house overlook the backyard and have a more sheltered and subdued design
Despite the string height restrictions, the Britannia Residence doesn't look or feel limited in any way
Despite the string height restrictions, the Britannia Residence doesn’t look or feel limited in any way