Architectural controls: Creating curb appeal and character

A community is more than a sum of all its parts, but it is the vision that determines what it can ultimately become.
Planning the amenities, assembling the builder group – these are all essential in carrying out the vision for the community and developing the land into a home that people will want to call home. But that vision begins with determining how the community will look like, and this is where architectural controls come in.

Cam Hart, Vice-President of Tamani Communities, the development arm of Jayman BUILT, explains architectural controls as the determining factor in a community’s look. “Architectural controls create the thematic for the community and create a cohesive look throughout the community, so no one house feels out of place, but each home can still be unique and personalized for the homeowner. They provide the guidelines for the design and exterior look of the homes.”

Bri-mor Developments’ Managing Director, Aleem Dhanani, agrees. “Architectural controls help to maintain consistency in in building form while allowing diversity through the architectural theme and styles.”

While Laura Button, LaVita Land’s senior development manager, says this helps the community maintain its character for the foreseeable future. “Architectural controls govern the key elements of home design elevations including style, colours and materials. These controls are important at the time of initial construction of a home, but they are also registered on title for a certain length of time, say 25 years, so that consistency is maintained in the community should exterior renovations or rebuilding occur.”

Welcome home

Partners Communities, the land development division of partners Development Group, is deep in the development of its first community – Homestead – and it interesting to see how they are molding the look of the community as its first showhomes open.
Just on the east side of Stoney Trail and McKnight Boulevard in Calgary’s expanding northeast, Homestead is a throwback to simpler times and small-town living. Dennis Inglis, Vice-President of Land for partners, says they want to make this 230-acre community seem as welcoming and inviting to their “homesteaders.”

“We are surrounded by farmland, canola fields across from Homestead will be there for years to come. We want to make everyone feel welcome here,” he says. Homes will mostly be in the modern farmhouse style to enhance the feeling of friendliness; streets are also designed in a grid pattern like in many small towns of southern Alberta.

“Homestead’s main thoroughfares – its boulevards and avenues - will only have laned homes, which gives a better feeling of welcome. Seeing homes with front porches instead of front garages as you enter the community lends to this feeling of warmth and welcome that we are striving for,” Inglis says. Find out more at www.liveinhomestead.ca.

That estate feel

Bri-mor has enjoyed enormous success in its West Grove Estates community in the southwest. The development links the original West Grove Estates, The Rise at West Grove Estates and the recently opened Encore West Grove Estates as a cohesive, family-friendly whole. Throughout the entire development, Bri-mor has always emphasized a versatile yet unified look that will stand the test of time.
“Bri-mor does the homework so the homeowners can have confidence in the long-term character of the community,” Dhanani says. “The ideal streetscape is one that allows for creativity in the design and function of the homes and allows for community engagement. Included in that is the interaction between the homes and the parks in both functionality and aesthetics.”

Through each phase of West Grove Estates, Bri-mor requires and has maintained elements in their projects that tie them together and differentiate their projects’ curb and community appeal. Some of the examples include upgraded rear yard and street side yard fencing provided by the developer, upgraded garage doors, exposed aggregate concrete driveways, smooth finish acrylic stucco and composite siding exteriors, lighted address plaques, as well as instituting a front yard landscaping program with the builders. “Encore carries on these elements, but also allows for a more modern edge in styling through the home’s exteriors,” Dhanani says.

He adds that the land use zoning in Encore is R-G which is a very flexible regarding setbacks, building height and lot coverage. “The lots in Encore are a little shallower than previous phases but the zoning still allows to have a home size like The Rise West Grove Estates. The height allowance also adds the possibility for a third-floor flex space, which has become even more important in the post-COVID world.”

For more information, go to www.encorewestgroveestates.com.

Unprecedented

Precedence is the latest development in Tamani Communities’ Riversong in Cochrane and its appeal lies in its unmatched natural setting. With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, the Bow River Valley, and set on a hillside overlooking the river and 100-acre natural reserve right in the community, it is unrivaled in its natural beauty.

Tamani’s task was clear: develop the community to make the most of this natural bounty. “Three unique architectural styles were developed for Precedence: West Coast, Modern Prairie and Urban Contemporary,” Hart says. “These three different housing styles help to provide a range of amazing looking homes for the community. Diversity, originality, and individual expression are encouraged, while still maintaining a sense of overall design unity throughout Precedence.”

Precedence will offer a unique theme through the provision of a mix of housing types and styles placed within a striking natural setting. Its builders are required to choose proper home designs around the approved grading and site topography to take full advantage of views and to maximize lot space, Hart says. “Precedence is envisioned to contain a healthy, varied mix of housing styles enhanced through three distinct architectural styles.”
Find out more at www.riversongcochrane.com.

Family-friendly outlook

Across from the Cowboy Trail in Cochrane sits the booming community of Fireside. Developed by LaVita Land, it was one of first communities in the town’s southern tip to take advantage of its scenic location and accessibility.
In the decade or so that it has grown, Fireside has not veered far from its original vision to present a family-oriented, recreationally minded community.

“In Fireside, we specify the architectural styles that our builders can choose from (currently Arts and Crafts/Craftsman, Prairie, Farmhouse and Mountain), the allowable exterior colours and whether we prefer the traditional or modern interpretations of each,” Button says.

LaVita has stressed the importance of architectural controls in in creating a cohesive, well-planned and coordinated community. “The controls are what create the whole welcoming experience and pleasant streetscapes that residents enjoy as they walk and drive through the community,” Button says.

These include Fireside’s own unique wood fence and stone pillar fence that is built in various areas throughout the community and will be carried throughout the community as it continues to grow. “The Town of Cochrane prides itself on having a small-town feel, so that feeling combined with the Fireside theme has inspired our use of earthy tones and materials that fit in with the surrounding landscape of rolling hills and tall grasses,” she says.

“Lastly, when you stand within the Fireside community and look west, there are clear and beautiful views of the mountains. Our main roads that head west through the community are tree lined to help frame the views that are already there without taking away from them.”

Go to www.firesidecochrane.com for more.