RNDSQR TAKES A HUMAN-SCALED APPROACH
“Fit Where You Live” is a philosophy of RNDSQR that embodies conscious and sustainable living, focusing on creating spaces where people can make it all fit.
The inner-city has become the domain of company founders and brothers Alkarim and Afshin Devani, who build for people who love the vibrant mix of safe communities where they can walk around the corner for groceries or a fresh coffee while enjoying easy access to the downtown.
They have been blessed with many successful developments, and a new project called Courtyard 33 in trendy Marda Loop emphasizes a human-scaled approach to urban design and introduces a new, intimate touch to the neighbourhood.
To be built on the northeast corner of 33rd Avenue and 22nd Street S.W. the six-storey, 14,000-square-foot residential/ commercial complex will offer retail and office on the first two floors, and 63 classy residential units.
Winnipeg ’s 5468796 Architecture, the company responsible for the East Village Parkade and Innovation Centre, designed Courtyard 33 with a rather unique open space area on the second level that is a flow through from the avenue to laneway via a 50-foot-wide Spanishstyle stairway.
Second-storey shops facing onto the courtyard double the amount of retail frontage available, onto an area that will become an intimate living-room space for the community.
Afshin says RNDSQR is currently searching for an artist to paint large, wall-mounted art that will be pleasing not only to shoppers but to residents of the condos facing into the landscaped courtyard.
The laneway will also provide what Alkarim calls “micro-retail units” — 200-square-foot spaces to help cultivate first-time business owners.
Marda Loop, and particularly 33rd Avenue, is a pleasant area for shoppers and RNDSQR intends to be vigilant in the types of retail it accepts into Courtyard 33.
One of the first is a second location for The Brewer’s Apprentice, currently in Inglewood where it offers tastings and growler fills from the best of 48 locally crafted beer makers. No doubt it will bring lots of walk-in traffic to the courtyard.
Afshin and Alkarim — whose architect wife Majida is lead creative designer for the team — built the office block in Altadore where they run the company with 22 staff. Afshin is also an owner of 180-agent RE/ MAX House of Real Estate that leases the ground floor for office, lounge and training room, along with the always busy NHBR Coffee.
They launched RNDSQR by designing and building custom estate homes but realized a desire to help families live and invest in the inner city, and have been successful building some exceptional designs in a number of communities.
Among the current offerings is GROW, a 20-unit development at 16A Street and 25th Avenue S.W. in Bankview.
Designed by Calgary’s MoDA Architects, it is far from a typical four-storey box. The site has nearly seven metres of elevation change, allowing for a terracing effect that gives every home a garden, plus a 1,000-squarefoot community garden on the rooftop.
RNDSQR has arranged for YYC Growers, a local urban farming co-operative, to plant and harvest the communal plot while teaching the multi-generational residents how to look after the garden.
The Devanis also have another 50 units under construction in established inner-city neighbourhoods, including seven row houses on 5th Avenue N.W. just to the west of 14th Street.
In Altadore, just steps from River Park, a 20-unit development called Peaks and Plains designed by Vera Architecture has received a development permit to begin construction. Another unique concept, it comprises four buildings with 10 units curbside and 10 facing an internal courtyard.
The brothers are busy in Calgary but have also collaborated with 5468796 Architecture to build on two sites in Winnipeg ’s historic Exchange District. Notes:
Congratulations to Calgary law firm Miles Davison that is celebrating 60 years of service to its clients in this city.
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