Prairie Infill Catalogue

Edmonton and other Canadian cities are currently moving to get rid of single-family zoning, with the aim of densifying mature neighbourhoods. While this is a laudable goal, much current infill construction is decontextualized and disrespectful towards the garden city character of older prairie suburbs, giving cause for concern.

Responding to this broader context, Shane Hauser and I decided to explore the architectural possibilities around sensitively densifying mature areas, attempting to develop new architectural types that meet current needs. We have been inspired by the mentality of the postwar CMHC Small House Catalogues, where architects developed practical housing types intended to be built en-masse. We began this design research project in early 2023, and were pleasantly surprised at the announcement of a new CMHC catalogue in late 2023.

The designs shown here are for a split-level garage suite, a front/back duplex, a stacked duplex, a live/work terrace house, and compact courtyard apartment.