Not all infill is bad infill. That is one of the messages from an award-winning Edmonton infill builder, Effect Home Builders, which is celebrating its 25-year anniversary this year.
Another message is that infill does not have to be controversial. A third is that infill can mean a greener, more energy-efficient home.
"Infill sometimes gets a bad rap," said Les Wold, owner and general manager of Effect Homes. "We're seeing a lot of what you're seeing, the bigger, higher density stuff. But that's not us."
Rather, Effect is seeing people who want to make an investment in the community where they live. "They want to build something that's going to stand the test of time so that they can live in and enjoy their neighbourhood," Wold said.
Building for the Long Term
These clients, according to Wold, will spend their time and money to build or rebuild a home so that it works for them and their children. While some of these homes may be larger than what was there before, that could be due to the multi-generational aspect of the newer build.
Mostly, Effect builds two-storey homes in older neighbourhoods like Belgravia, Bonnie Doon, Laurier Heights, or Rio Terrace. However, Effect is also seeing more interest in bungalows as infill replacements or split-level homes in communities like Westmount.
Award-Winning Design
In Westmount, Effect's Steelcroft build won one of two infill awards at the recent BILD Edmonton Metro Awards of Excellence in Housing gala in mid-March. Steelcroft won for Best Infill Under 3,500 Square Feet.
Effect followed that up with a win in Built Green Canada's Maverick Awards in April, where it shared the Ambassador Maverick with Excel Homes. The Ambassador Maverick recognizes leadership in advancing sustainable building.
"Awards or not, we still want to build the best we possibly can," said Wold. "They're like the icing on the cake."
Steelcroft: A Unique Challenge
Steelcroft, the award-winning home, posed a unique challenge. "This 1,988-sq.-ft. custom residence was specifically engineered to address a highly irregular lot boundary that necessitated unique setback requirements," said Wold.
"The core design solution was a split-level floor plan built around a functional 15-degree diagonal axis. This angle was not merely an esthetic choice but a geometric necessity that allowed us to maximize the buildable footprint while preserving essential yard space. The split-level design integrates the home seamlessly with the grade and optimizes travel distances, effectively eliminating 'dead space' within the angled transitions."
But the challenges did not end there. "The home was purpose-built for an audiophile, requiring specialized acoustic treatment as a core quality," added Wold. "This includes extensive sound-insulating materials in all interior partitions, combined with high-performance, triple-pane windows throughout. The result is a home where sonic control and purity are maintained, offering an unparalleled environment for music enjoyment and concentration."
