Nordic Retreat Calgary, Alberta family esidence, Calgary real estate development, Canadian home

Nordic Retreat in Calgary

2 Sep 2022

Architects: Alloy Homes Incorporated

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Photos: Joel Klassen

Nordic Retreat, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Nordic Retreat is a Scandinavian-inspired family home clad in warm organic materials, with large, high-performance windows that open to the tree lined streetscape and private back yard.

The massing of the home is broken down using a series of striking cut-outs and deep shadow lines detailing designed to respect the architectural rhythms on the adjacent heritage homes. Inside, a custom credenza divides an open-concept main floor into a series of cozy and functional spaces. A warm, palette rich with natural materials lends a timelessness to the interior detailing. This home features an extremely efficient building envelope and a grid-tied solar electric system that produces as much power as the home uses each year.

What was the brief?
The clients are outdoorsy people and wanted their home to have a cabin feel but be a Scandinavian inspired home. We delivered both with a contemporary twist. The home, above all else, is a family home. The brief asked for a home that was very open, yet very intimate.

How is the project unique?
We designed this home to fit into the neighbourhood context but with a bit of a modern interpretation. The striking cutout and deep shadow lines on the facade break up the modern massing and create spectacular views down the historic tree-lined street. Many architectural details add visual interest and custom built quality to this home, like the custom-milled soffit vents and textured brick wall that creates a dynamic shadow line as the sun shifts throughout the day.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s our modern interpretation of classic farmhouse kitchen – big island, cooking wall as a backdrop. Because it’s so open to the living area, we’ve provided a well appointed Butler’s Pantry. The kitchen island is designed as ‘command central’ and social space.