Modern Elboya Living Opportunity ~ make it yours!

Envy Eco’s Modern Elboya Living Opportunity is available to purchase ~ Make it Yours!

Sporting new electrical, plumbing and a bright new front entrance, new Innotec European windows and doors are installed, we are ready to seal up the envelope and begin finishing the interior.

Designed and built by Envy, jump on this opportunity to enjoy a large mid-century bungalow complemented with modern efficiencies and walkable living. Completion early 2021, move into your newly restored inner city Calgary home at its sustainably built, low-maintenance finest!

Interested?

Contact David to arrange your private tour!

723 47th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta

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Modern Elboya Living begins here…

Elboya bungalow… how it all began

3/4’s of the way to the finish line of the Architectural Restoration project in Lakeview we had the opportunity to acquire this 1960’s gem of a bungalow.

Initially we put it up for sale as a project for someone looking to live in this amazing location and home.

FF March 2020, 2 offers on this project had fallen through, the Arch/Resto project is finally complete and… CoVid shutdowns.

Taking some time to decide how best to work in the ‘new normal’ we decided to forge ahead, design and renovate this bungalow beauty ourselves in a safe, socially distant controlled setting.

Follow along to watch the evolution or contact us to see it in person. Available for purchase anytime and ready for its new occupants early 2021!

Come join us on this new adventure…

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.  

Livability

We live in our homes.  And we build how we build for one reason really.  Livability.Livability now.  And livability into the future.  Livability, not margin, not trend, not builder convenience.  We have tried not to be stifled by the tendency towards “that’s the way we do it... because that’s the way we have always done it...”We usually ask “why?”  And if the “why” doesn’t contribute to the priority of livability, we take a good look and try to figure out a better way.  Sometimes that means innovating, sometimes it means researching and finding the best practices of others, and sometimes it means accepting that it has always been done that way for the right reasons.If you live in a house in Calgary, the Livability of your home depends on a few important things -A livable home should have a really good building envelope.  We like Insulated Concrete Forms for several reasons, but there are other good alternatives.  A balance of insulative value (R-value) and managed air infiltration to keep your home dry and warm.Calgary is one of the world’s most complex climates to build in.  Radical temperature swings of more than forty degrees celsius over a 48 hour period are not uncommon through the winter.  These temperature extremes place incredible stresses on building envelopes as dissimilar materials expand and contract at different rates.  Freeze and thaw cycles will draw moisture into the most unforeseen places yielding potentially devastating consequences in short order.  Material choices need to reflect these realities.  Interfaces between materials have to be diligently managed to avoid vulnerabilities.  That means - good flashing around windows, careful management of runoff, consideration of aspect (which way does that wood siding face? South? Bad Idea), and so many other subtle elements that dictate the long term viability of your investment.  The envelope is important.A livable home should have great windows.  A critical part of the envelope, they dictate the comfortability of your home.  The windows are there to let light in.  But also to keep hot or cold air out.  To provide security, and to limit noise pollution.  Good windows will have more than one gasket to provide the seal.  They will lock in more than one place, and they will feature low e and argon gas filled sealed units to manage solar insolation (the heat you feel when the sun shines through your window.)A livable home should have a flexible floor plan.  One that allows for changes in your lifestyle, or subsequent renovation without significant structural consequence.  Livability.  Being able to adapt your environment to your changing needs, without having to change environments all together.  Modular or carefully planned cabinetry that can be adapted from change table to dresser to desk to match the occupants changing needs.  Showers that can accommodate mobility challenges for the long term.A livable home should have renewable energy technologies installed or roughed in.  Gas hasn’t always been and won’t always be cheap.  Supplementing your energy needs with solar thermal or photo-voltaic solar panels, or having the infrastructure in place to install this technology in the future, is prudent and will contribute to long term livability by offsetting energy costs.  As a front end investment, current economics make the argument for solar better than ever, if your home is to be durable - and last 100 years, this technology will be an asset.A livable home should have some significant water saving measures implemented.  Rain water capture, dual flush toilets, high efficiency washing machines, and low flow faucets and shower heads should be mandatory.  Rain water for flushing toilets (and hopefully soon, doing laundry) is an attainable objective now in new homes with modest planning.  Again, this technology may seem expensive now, but like gas, water will not always be cheap.A livable home should be able to charge an electric car in the garage.  Because, sooner or later...And, most importantly, a livable home should have some great spaces.  Inspired kitchen design to foster engaging conversation and encourage you to eat at home.  A great family room that allows the family to thrive together - a multi use space that keeps your family in the same room.  Private retreats that give each family member their own cocoon - a place to sleep and revitalize.Livability is the balance of mechanical and spatial functionality and the comfort and well-being that comes from living in a space that works properly in all facets of life.We try to be “pragmatically green,” driven by the priority of fostering Livability.  We don’t always get it right because sometimes we find ourselves in uncharted waters... How many homes do you know that use their rainwater capture cistern as a heat sink to provide hydronic cooling in the summer?  But, we do challenge convention and do things differently when it is the better way to proceed.We understand that the homes we build won’t be for everyone, and that you can build a smaller, tighter, more efficient home.  But we want to be able to convince the most cynical person that they can be greener - often much greener - and still live in a spectacular home.

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. 

Find us on Facebook

Envy has officially joined the world of Facebook!Come find us in your social media world and 'Like' our page if you would like to know more about what we are doing, how we are doing it, new blog posts and other interesting sustainable living information and ideas that we find and share.Looking forward to seeing you on Facebook sometime soon.facebook.com/EnvyEcops - if you love twitter you please feel free to tweet about us with the hashtag #envyecotweets currently promoted by team member twitter.com/ingridkue

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.