Additional living spaces, energy efficiency lead home design trends in 2024

Making the most of available space has always been the point of home designs and balancing the needs of practicality and style have always been key. With multifunctional homes becoming the norm in 2024, the ability to maximize living space is key, but energy efficiency is also going high on the wish list of buyers.

Homebuilders are now offering models with developed basements, third floor lofts, main floor bedrooms with ensuite, the list goes on. But homes with increased energy efficiency are also in demand.

Avalon Master Builder

The developers of the popular ZEN townhome series have laid out some amazing new floorplans for 2022, but a key component of their designs remains to be increasing energy efficiency. Avalon is continuing to apply Net Zero and Net Zero Ready methods in their building designs and construction process, says Chris Williams, President, Avalon Master Builder.

Avalon is taking this a step further in 2024 with ZEN Livingston, their first Net Zero Community in Calgary. Sales began in last November and they are seeing strong demand.

“Every home will be built as an energy-efficient home with a superior airtight building envelope, extra insulation and triple pane windows which eliminates drafts and reduces energy consumption. The homes are more comfortable, healthier, quieter, and more durable,” Williams says.

ZEN Livingston offers Avalon’s traditional stacked townhomes, including one- and two-bedroom level living flats with an outdoor amenity space, and two- and three-bedroom two-storey City homes, with a fenced back yard.

“It is important that our industry continues to advance toward carbon reduction, and in increased occupant health and comfort. A Net Zero or Net Zero Ready home offers the same functional experience as a home built to base building code but has substantially lower emissions,” Williams adds.

The energy efficient features such as extra insulation, triple pane windows, elevated air tightness, and right sized mechanical result in a home that is more comfortable, healthier, quieter, and durable.

“Avalon has been working towards a goal of building Net Zero Homes at no additional cost to the homeowner for more than two decades. The result of this effort is we can, today, build a market affordable townhome that saves, in energy cost, the same amount as the cost to finance the Net Zero features. On average for the year, the increase in your mortgage is the same as the decrease in energy cost. As energy costs increase, the savings also increase.”

Go to avalonmasterbuilder.com for more.

Excel Homes

Excel Homes’ success has always been its ability to accommodate the homebuyers’ ever-changing needs, and the past year was no different. What the renowned homebuilder has seen is a growing need for more space, especially among young families. They are a leading Built Green builder in the province as well, so energy efficiency concerns are well addressed.

But more than that, Excel has come up with inventive solutions that assure more home for the money, including main floor flex room, bonus rooms, third floor lofts, developed basements and more!

“Multigenerational living is also contributing to the demand for more space and for everyone in the home to have their own sanctuary within the home,” says Excel Homes Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank.
She says developing secondary suites have become important to their buyers for rental income or to accommodate extended family. And developed basements were their most requested upgrade last year.

“Over the past year, our most popular upgrade request has been a secondary basement suite. Over 70 per cent of our homes sold in 2023 included this feature! Not only does a suite add more livable space, but when it is rented out, it can an provide additional monthly income, which can help offset monthly payments. A suite is also great option to allow for older children or extended family members to move in to so they have a space of their own nearby.”

Excel offers a wide range of options for basement suites, including one- or two-bedroom layouts. They typically range in size from 487 to 814 square-feet, and include a full kitchen, living room, nook area and even their own private laundry.

Excel offers basement suites in Silver Spruce, Creekstone, Rangeview and Mahogany, in south Calgary and Homestead, Savanna and Livingston in North Calgary.

“An exceptional basement suite that we recently released was in our Collingwood showhome located in Livingston, in NW Calgary. The Collingwood basement suite is flexible, open, and spacious. The suite utilizes the space effectively, offering one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen with a breakfast bar, living room, space for a dining nook, and even a private laundry room. The large, unfinished mechanical/storage area is located outside of the suite entrance for the primary homeowner’s ease of access, allowing privacy for the renter. In addition, there is an additional unfinished storage area inside the suite for the tenant’s use. This Collingwood show home also has an exterior side entrance to the basement, providing ultimate privacy.”

Find out more at excelhomes.ca.