envy, the blog
Occasionally, when we are not preoccupied designing, creating, building or generally nerd-ing out over architecture and art, we will blog. Here you will find out what we are up to, be able to follow along on builds as they happen and sometimes we just find something really interesting we want to share with you.
Scroll down for some cool histories of previous adventures, read up on our current endeavours and feel free to comment or share as like.
Come join us on our adventures…
Haus 10 has Sold!
Haus 10 (located at 2010 37th Ave SW) has sold!
But check out this finished inner city Calgary, Envy built residence, in all its sustainably built, low-maintenance glory!
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This sustainable high performance Envy home in Marda Loop, offers downtown views from two levels, attached triple+ garage, concrete construction, European windows, superior efficiency with integrated solar energy. 2010 37th Avenue SW has no structural or mechanical rivals in its class.
Keep scrolling down to watch the journey of how this project came together.
Chef Duncan Ly feeds 24 guests in Haus 10
So honoured to have this amazing Chef prepare a special meal for 24 guest in Haus 10! Please enjoy a change of blog scenery and check out the 5 decadent dishes prepared by Chef Duncan Ly, executive chef & owner of Foreign Concept.
Solar Panels
Haus 8 + 10 are equipped with photo-voltaic (PV) solar panels to generate 60-70% of the homes expected household electrical use. Naturally all systems do have a back up however the more energy that can be displaced with this clean green energy source the smaller the carbon footprint of this home and the lower the utility bill.
Did you know that in Alberta our electricity still comes predominantly from coal fired plants? That's right, one of the filthiest sources of electricity out there.
The electricity generated from these panels is tied back into the grid to feed the homes needs first and other electricity demands in the city second.
To answer your next question - yes, you are credited for the energy you generate but don't use.
Left; the finished rooftop array.
Below; the crews hoisting panels and infrastructure to the roof with a crane to start the installation process.
Exterior Update
The landscaping on this project seems to have settled in nicely and the now leaf-less trees and shrubs seem to be basking the the last sun beams before the snow falls.
Bathroom Vanities
Storage in bathrooms is essential!That is the room that is fastest to clutter up and become a daunting messy task to clean if your don't have adequate storage.This glimpse of our boxes and number of drawers before we cover them with beautiful bamboo finishing will allow you to understand just how much planning goes into our storage solutions.
Kitchen Countertops
Beautiful white quartz kitchen counter tops are installed in both kitchens now featuring a waterfall edge on the appliance side of the island and an engaging 90 degree island seating area on the other side.
Beginning Built-ins
At Envy we believe that ample storage is a key component to your quality of life.Having a logical place for all your 'stuff' to go keeps your home clutter free yet allows you to find things when you do need them. This is true for so many things we own; whether we are talking special dishes, crystal & platters for entertaining, a neat hidden away laundry area, music instruments, sporting equipment that varies by season, craft/sewing/hobby gear or supplies, you name it... we all have 'stuff'. Some things we may want to display so a space for that is just as important as pragmatic locations to add media and computer/office solutions.Envy homes come with loads of built-ins that can be adjusted to accommodate your personal lifestyle and storage requirements so you can enjoy clutter free living.
Kitchen 8 - The Look
... is cool modernthat is the best description of the dark silver stained, horizontal grain cabinet aesthetic you will find in Haus 8this post is AKA "or kitchen two is also well underway now"
More Landscaping
Rear landscaping is completed with Alberta hardy perennial shrubs and plants.Details, for example ensuring that you are planting a Juniper species not a Cedar, go a long way to the lasting look of the rear yard.Notice the area in the middle by the dividing fence? That is being left un-planted to allow the new home owners some customization depending on family needs. I.e. sod, permeable pavers, gravel or some combination thereof.
8+10 Master Baths
Master bathrooms are tiled in giant 2' by 4' tiles, minimalist field tiles with a row of complimentary mono-tone pattern in the middle.Haus 10, which is the westerly unit, is being finished with a warm-modern feel and the first three shots are if it's master bath in a sparkling champagne coloured squares with-in squares pattern.Haus 8, which is the easterly unit, is being finished in cool-modern tones and the last three shots are of the of it's master bath in steel grey with large, yet subtle, opposing silver spheres to compliment it.Both tubs are mounted under white granite and feature glass aprons. Stay tuned to see the awesome fixtures we have chosen for these homes.Did we mention that you could be living here by Christmas? That's right, December 2013
Bathroom tile
Five bathrooms, four with extensive tile work required, in both Haus 8 and Haus 10Pleased to report that these bathrooms are shaping up beautifully ~ grout and finish plumbing still to be installed. Check back to see the luxurious master baths to be finished soon.Yes - that is some seriously large glass tile you are looking at.
Kitchen two underway
The assembly of Haus 8's kitchen is now underway; parts delivered and boxes being installed.Check back to see the bamboo treatment that will be happening for this units cabinetry.
Second driveway + retaining
In a concerted effort to make hay while our September sun is shining the second driveways and some more retaining walls are being poured. Meanwhile the rear landscaping is being planned in order to finish all the exterior finishing before the first snow flies.
Kitchen one ~ half done
The kitchen and cabinetry in Haus 10 will be finished in warm natural vertical grain sustainable bamboo. Below you can view some finished kitchen cabinet fronts as well as what's behind them. Drawers! Lots and lots of drawers made of baltic birch ply. Practically this means you can access everything in the space without digging around blindly in the back of the cupboards. Why don't most homes have loads of useful drawers... the answer is simple economics, they cost more.
Interior doors
Envy homes focus on large open living spaces that adapt to your lifestyle, but there are always some rooms that need doors. Bedrooms, bathrooms, closets... and now ~ we have doors.
Trees are at the Haus
Landscaping at the front of Haus 8+10 is underway... the first three Schubert Chokecherry trees are planted on the property line with additional smaller native perennials to be added to complete this lovely low maintenance landscape design.
1st Driveway Poured
The first of two rear driveways is now poured... these lead to the over-sized triple attached under-drive garages in these homes. Enough room for ALL your toys!The first retaining wall concrete is poured on the west unit at the same time.
Starting to Tile
Finishing is always the most exciting part.The fantastic tiling crew has just begun but we couldn't wait to share a few sneak pre-view pictures.The master bath has been prepped with orange backing board but you will have to wait to see what tiles have been selected to go in here.Scroll down further to see a sneak preview of the glass tile accent in the Jack'n'Jill baths as well as a pragmatic floor drain solution.
Cabinet Box Parts
Another exciting delivery ... the cabinet box parts for the first kitchen.Looking forward to seeing these pieces come together, literally!Watch for more pictures as this kitchen gets built.
Finishing Materials
More finishing materials were delivered today; the interior doors, casings and baseboard.Stay tuned to view these materials finished and installed.
