New Homes
New Homes
Trends in construction industry could be hitting home soon
Every day, I receive selected articles from across the country about issues that affect the residential construction industry. These can involve a multitude of topics ranging from government legislation to research studies to local issues. This past week, I noticed a few issues or trends occurring around the country that just might come into play here over time.
The University of Waterloo recently hosted a forum where a panel of experts raised a number of housing concerns. It seems as though they are facing a vicious circle of similar issues. Millennials tend to be the most interested in living in the heart of the city, close to public transit. However, in larger cities such as Toronto, downtown real estate is frequently the most expensive. Young families don't want to raise their children in small downtown condos but also don't want to commute daily for over an hour each way in order to own a single-family home. However, they can't build just outside existing municipal borders closer to their desired work location because of Ontario land use and intensification policy regarding the greenbelt area.
An interesting sidelight to the transportation issue, recently a 42-storey tower in Toronto became the first such building in Canada to be built without a parking garage.
Other communities have responded to the need for more affordable housing in innovative ways. Vancouver waives development fees and charges on affordable housing projects. Austin, Tex., encourages more affordable housing on foreclosed properties. In Saskatoon, one builder is pursuing garage and garden suites as an infill project for back-lane neighbourhoods, primarily in the older core area of the city.
In Edmonton, they are making concerted efforts to densify older neighbourhoods. This may take the form of subdividing larger lots into two smaller lots or building multi-family residences on sites where single-family detached once existed.
British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario have all supported six-storey, wood frame, multi-family units in an effort to create safe, more affordable mid-rise housing. Saskatchewan is currently considering this option.
Due to the sudden and significant drop in oil prices, concern has been raised about home sales, production and prices. Jobs may also be at risk. Look for a possible return of some of the skilled labour and youth that left Manitoba recently to return home to live.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Homebuilders' Association.
New Homes
The function quotient
As exciting as it is to walk through a show home loaded with tons of flashy options, style alone doesn't make a home.
At the end of the day, it's a home's function quotient that makes it livable. That's something the design team at KDR Homes took into account when they were designing their latest show home at 16 Waterstone Drive in South Pointe, said KDR's sales representative, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate's Sean Kirady.
"This is a home that impresses with its overall design rather than all kinds of bells and whistles," he said. "It won a gold award in the Fall Parade because it's a modern yet functional design that works for everyday life, yet is still beautiful."
That function starts in the foyer, where, unlike most modern designs, the entrance is an entity unto itself, segmented neatly from the great room by a wall that defines the home's upper-level staircase.
"I think it's a great feature," said Kirady. "There's lots of room to shed your clothes and shoes, there's a high ceiling, lots of light from three vertical windows and a rich feel that's created by a taupe tile floor. At the same time, there's a bit of mystery because you can't see the great room."
When you do come around the corner, you enter an area that features exceptional balance between fashion and function. To the left is an office with a sliding barn-style door. From there, the great room opens up into an open-concept space in which space and light are pervasive, yet each space is still a distinct entity.
Case in point is the kitchen, which is defined by a 10-foot-long, L-shaped island with double sink and seating for up to six people. Perfectly proportioned and beautifully finished, it possesses both practicality and panache, said Kirady.
"It's shape opens up the kitchen's interior, providing plenty of room for more than one person to be in the kitchen without feeling crowded," he said "Add in a corner pantry and another pantry on the right side of the fridge, and you've got tons of storage even before you consider the (walnut thermofoil) cabinets. The corner pantry also defines the cooking area, which features a stainless steel, slide-in flattop Kitchen Aid stove that's complemented nicely by a (grey/light taupe) tile backsplash."
Meanwhile, the spaces in front and behind the kitchen -- the entire great room is set on elegant, white (with a hint of grey) oak hardwoods -- are also intuitively designed. To the rear is a conveniently situated mud/laundry room that contains a double closet, nook for bench or storage unit and door that provides seamless access to the attached triple garage; there's also a handy two-piece bath, as well.
To the front is a dining area surrounded by three windows and a patio door that leads to an elevated deck.
"Not only is the dining area a good size (14.1 feet by 8.2 feet), it comes with a great wetland view," said Kirady. "It can easily hold a table for six to eight, and the door to the patio allows you to expand your entertaining area in the spring, summer and fall."
Additional -- and, well-appointed entertainment/hang-out space, at that -- can be found in the adjacent family room, which seems a good deal larger than its listed square footage (16.4 feet by 15 feet) due to a rather dramatic design feature.
"The ceiling actually goes up to a height of 19 feet," he said, noting the soaring ceiling allowed for another desirable design feature, a group of four floor-to-ceiling windows. "All the natural light and wetland view are incredible, and the room is finished off nicely by a gas fireplace with a stainless steel surround next to and eight-foot-wide entertainment unit (with thermofoil walnut TV niche and two display shelves above)."
Wind your way down to the walk-out basement, and you find a bright, ergonomically sound area that's steeped in fashion and function.
"Again, it's a simple, functional design that offers a games area with three windows, a door to a covered, grey slate patio and a media area with two huge windows. The wetland view from both areas is incredible," Kirady said. "There's also a huge bedroom with double closet and an ensuite-like four-piece bath."
Meander upstairs, and the home's intelligent design continues in the form of an upper level with a wall that divides it neatly into two sections. To the right of the stairs is the secluded master suite; to the left is a bedroom wing notable for its efficient use of space.
"It actually contains three bedrooms, a laundry room, spacious four-piece bath and linen closet," he said. "All three bedrooms have huge (about five-foot by five-foot) windows and double closets with neat storage nooks off to the side."
Then, there's the 14.1-foot by 15.3-foot master suite.
"The bedroom is just the right size, the wetland view is awesome, and an entrance fronted by another barn-style door leads to the walk-in closet and ensuite. The ensuite is a beautiful space with angled stand-alone soaker tub, cream porcelain tile floor, six-foot glass/tile shower and walnut thermofoil/quartz vanity. It's a delightful, relaxing space."
Kirady said the 2,647-sq.-ft. home is an exceptionally well-rounded design.
"It's an absolute masterpiece -- it's in a great location (next to an upcoming school), the lot is both private and beautiful, and the design gives you classic looks with a functional, open-concept design. This home has it all for a growing family."
lewys@mts.net
New Homes
Aging in Place an idea whose time has come
I am frequently asked to gaze into the crystal ball and forecast coming trends and changes in the residential construction industry.
Normally, I don't have to look any further than the Parade of Homes or the Renovation of the Year Awards. These events bring out the best in new-home construction and renovations, producing the most innovative and creative work imaginable.
However, the Manitoba Home Builders Association is about to introduce a program that will change the way many of us look at our places of residence.
The 50+ age demographic is the fastest-growing segment of our population and a large majority want to stay in their homes as they age.
The accessibility features in much of our older housing stock will not be able to accommodate the inevitable demand.
Aging households may also become multigenerational households. This is particularly true in culturally diverse populations.
Therefore, the MHBA is proud to introduce the Aging in Place certification course, a three-day workshop that teaches the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to competing in one of the fastest-growing segments of the residential construction industry.
To date, this course has only been offered in Halifax. Manitoba will be the first to create certified Aging in Place specialists (CAPS) west of the Atlantic Ocean. A registered, certified instructor will be flown into Winnipeg for the Feb. 10-12 workshop.
The MHBA, our builder members and our renovator members are all proud to be the pioneers of this concept. Allowing people to stay longer in their homes as they age will result in a wide variety of benefits.
Homeowners will have more adaptable homes that will permit them to maximize usage for longer periods. Whether it is because of a disability or a preference, the choice is theirs.
Renovators and builders will be developing a previously untapped market. Whether it is the construction of a new home in a new neighbourhood or upgrading an older home, opportunities are plentiful for new designs and concepts to maximize use of all spaces.
When homeowners find it too difficult to navigate around their home, they often seek out the services of group facilities. There is a cost to everyone to provide these services. By being able to stay longer in your own home, these costs are reduced.
Certified Aging in Place specialists will be the new experts in this rapidly growing field, available exclusively through the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Homebuilders' Association
