Edmonton House

Award of Merit, Designer: Ron Wickman Finalta Designs Inc.

This FlexHouse design addresses a multitude of issues including affordability, community interaction, accessibility, flexibility and home automation while using construction materials from sustainable resources. A suitable starter home with two or three bedrooms, it can be enlarged to encompass a private suite or a home office. The front verandah and rear courtyard offer both private and public spaces outdoors. And because of its creative use of a small lot, this design is well suited for inner-city living. And it's the first FlexHouse available for public viewing!

• Expandable design from 1,250 sq.ft. starter home to a four-bedroom single-family home which includes a separate, self-contained suite.
• Front porch and courtyard promote social interaction while maintaining a private garden space.
• Grade access for people in wheelchairs.
• Open floor plans,with wide doorways and corridors.
• Structural reinforcements for future installation of a stair lift and grab bars.
• Lever door handles and accordion closet doors.
• Adjustable kitchen cabinets and shelf heights.
• Strategic use of colour, contrast and changes in texture for ground and wall surfaces serve as visual and tactile cues for people with sight and cognitive limitations.
• Environmentally responsible materials with low off-gassing and very little glue.
• Building materials made from recycled and waste materials.
• Rainwater cisterns for gardening.

A - Living Room
B - Kitchen
C - Dining Room
D - Bedroom on Upper level
E - Washroom
F - Storage
G - Deck/Patio
H - Covered Entry
I - Vestibule
J - Garage
K - Optional Self Contained Suite