AFFORDABLE AND RESILIENT INNER-CITY HOME
Location: Calgary, AB (Mount Pleasant)
Project Type: Infill Custom Home
Key Goals: Affordability, Resilience, Walkability, Owner-Builder
Services: Full Design Development, Permitting, Interior Design, Construction Management
Project Credit: This home was personally designed and built by fpdb co-founder, Arlen Donnelly, prior to the firm’s launch..
This project is the personal home of FPDB co-founder Arlen Donnelly and his family. They were happy with their condo, which was in a walkable inner-city location, but given the age of the building it was becoming increasingly unreliable due to building issues. Their goal was to take what they loved about their current home but find something more resilient and reliable, which still being affordable. Unable to find this combination on the existing market, they chose to build it.
Arlen’s design approach focused on creating a highly efficient floor plan with simple massing. He created a 3-bedroom layout that feels much larger than its 1,370 square foot size implies. This architectural simplicity was strategic: it made the home easier to build and allowed them to reinvest into increasing the performance of the building envelope—including R36 prefabricated walls, an ICF foundation, and R60 roof insulation for long-term resilience and comfort.
The result is a modern home that aligns with the family’s values. It achieves the difficult balance of inner-city affordability and increased performance without sacrificing quality. This project demonstrates how thoughtful, values-based design can create a lasting home that gives a family a true sense of place.
BUILDING IT TWICE
In construction, mistakes are expensive. This project uses a ‘build it twice’ philosophy—first virtually, then in reality. By modeling the detailed connections in 3D before breaking ground, potential conflicts were identified early. This Virtual Construction approach allowed the team to optimize materials for affordability and work out construction details for clarity on the construction site.
Image: 3D Building Model
DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION
To simplify the construction process for an owner-builder timeline, the project utilized a building shell from Pacific Homes. This procurement strategy simplified the sourcing of materials for the project and allowed the home to reach lock-up quickly and protected the interior from the elements. Additionally the prefabricated R36 wall system arrived pre-insulated and provided a high effective thermal performance without the need for more complex exterior insulation types.
Image: Prefabricated Wall Panels on Site
INVESTING IN COMFORT AND RESILIENCE
The design prioritizes a higher energy performance and occupant comfort. Following the ‘Pretty Good House’ philosophy, the project focuses on being as energy efficient as possible within the budget. With R36 walls, R60 roofing, an ICF foundation and triple-pane windows, the home retains heat efficiently which lowers the energy use by about one third of a typical code built infill home. Simple, durable, and comfortable were the key design pillars for this project.
Image: Installing Final Layer of Insulation in Interior of Wall
THE DESIGN-BUILD APPROACH
A Design-Build mindset means knowing when to buy and when to build. To achieve a high-end custom look within a strict budget, Arlen fabricated the kitchen island and cabinetry on-site. This hands-on experience with materials—plywood, oak, and hardware—informs how Front Porch details millwork for clients, ensuring designs are not just beautiful but functional and embrace the needs of a busy family.
Image: Custom Kitchen Cabinets Under Construction
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
