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Portfolio

43 PARK

residential

Scope of Work

To develop a multi-family condo on the site where two single family homes existed. The goal of the project was to maximize the density on the available site and remain within a tight budget. The result is a 43 unit multi-family development that has one, two and three storey units.

Design Logic

A building that was more modern than traditional. 43 Park set out to be a product for the young professional market. The modern design was achieved through the balance of materials and massing.

43 Park also featured eco-friendly elements with energy star windows, lighting and appliances, as well as a pro-green ventilation system. Hot water is also recirculated throughout building with high efficiency boilers.

Other great features of 43 Park include a 10 feet kitchen islands which double as a dining table, my space flex rooms, a fitness room, and even a “Fix It” work bench. The work bench provides a space for residents where they can work on projects they would not want to work on in their own units.

KI modern japanese + bar

commercial

In collaboration with Boti Interiors

Scope of Work

Located at the bottom of a downtown tower, Ki Modern japanese + bar was developed in an existing shell of interior space. The project also included the addition of a large outdoor patio space, as well as entry vestibule.

Duel worked in a supportive role with Boti Interiors. Our design work included designing an extremely functional outdoor patio space, as well as the vestibule at the entrance.

Design Logic

The patio was designed so that it did not interfere with the design of the existing building. A large glass roof was designed as a functional element that provided shelter while still allowing as much light as possible into the space.

8TH AVENUE PLACE

commercial

2015 Alberta Masonry Design Award Winner

Scope of Work

Nestled between two buildings, the existing building on site was very dated and tired. The project set out to work with the bones of the existing structure and turn it into a modern office building. The height of the building was expanded by two floors and the existing building was gutted, renovated and revitalized.

The client was looking for a design that was a forward-thinking, modern and current. The goal was to capitalize on and/or attract a tenant such as a law firm or doctor’s practice with supporting retail on the main floor.

Design Logic

To create a modern design that was simple in its massing, but had clean, crisp architectural elements. The design had to appeal to the tenants that were looking for an open, uncluttered floor space.

The façade was developed to be both contextually appropriate and to stand out amongst the surroundings buildings. The modern massing was created to suggest two dominant forms, with the one element supporting the function of the elevator. By using the elevator as a design element and locating it at the front of the building, valuable leasable space inside was maintained. The reveal between the two forms was originally much more pronounced, but was changed at the time of construction.

The keg - crowfoot

commercial

Scope of Work

The Keg wanted to create a new modern visual identity that aligned with their core philosophy of quality, comfort and value. Initially working with another firm, The Keg was still looking for a more economical solution. Providing an economical solution became the challenge to solve and what was successfully delivered on.

Design Logic

The restaurant was to have a design that was bold, modern and with strong forms. The building had to be a significant departure from the previous corporate look of The Keg. The project needed to have a high level of visual appeal, while still providing a warm and welcoming dining atmosphere.

17a street 4-plex

residential

Scope of Work

A single family inner city lot was designed for increased density with the development of four townhouses.

Design Logic

The four townhouses were developed with a modern aesthetic and contemporary massing. The townhomes had to weave seamlessly into the urban fabric of the established neighbourhood. Using the site slope as an advantage, the resulting design has private individual garages for each townhouse unit, while maintaining a contextually appropriate height.

50th ave SW

residential

Scope of Work

An inner city modern side-by-side infill home to fit into the context of the existing community. The development of a side-by-side increased the density on the site of an existing single family home.

Design Logic

Although designed as a side-by-side, the use of articulation and materials allows the building to also read as two separate homes. Natural materials of stone and wood are used in contrast to the clean modern design.

16 ST SW tri-plex

residential

Scope of Work

Many iterations of this project were considered. The goal was to achieve a relatively simple façade treatment and create interior spaces with high ceiling heights. The desire for high ceilings came to define the development and informed the building’s mass.

Design Logic

The triplex posed several design challenges. Some of these challenges included a sloping site, as well as the difficulty of fitting three units on small site. The challenges were successful resolved to deliver an efficient and thoughtful plan to the client.

guitar works - macleod trail

commercial

Our work with this client also includes the 16th Ave, CrossIron Mills and Crowfoot Center Locations

Scope of Work

The Guitar Works building was originally a highly recognizable fast food restaurant. The challenge became removing the visual association to the former fast food restaurant and turning the space into a vibrant, specialized retail outlet for guitars and related equipment.

As a free-standing building located on a major roadway, visibility was of critical importance. The building also had to be appealing from three different directions. The goal was to create a very real connection between the guitars on display inside and the traffic passing by.

Design Logic

Choices were intentional to focus on the color and animation found within the store through the guitars, amplifiers and other equipment. A limited modern monochromatic colour pallet was chosen for the exterior materials and as much window space as possible was added without limiting the display area inside the store.

The simplicity in color and materials also provided the perfect complement to a Pop Art motif that was added to gain attention from passing motorists. A replica of a 1946 Fender Stratocaster smashing through the roof of the store created a strong visual connection between the store and people passing by. The site also boasts a large scale guitar pick sign. Both the pick sign and the guitar provide a “wow factor” and a very visual landmark on a busy roadway.

the view

conceptual

Scope of Work

To create a mixed use, multi-family housing project with maximum density. The site was challenging in both size (approximately 100 feet wide by 1500 feet long) and proximity to the main railroad line linking Calgary and Edmonton. The developer wanted a project that was unique to Airdrie, had a modern edge and was something they could be proud of. This project has evolved from these original concepts to a commercial project and is in development as Airdrie Business Park.

Design Logic

Two different concepts were developed with a modern, contemporary look. The one concept was a mid-density mixed use solution, while the other concept was high density mixed use solution with a more traditional tower design.

west 19th

conceptual

Scope of Work

A new office building to replace an existing building located on a developed urban street. The project had a limited budget and a tight site to work with.

Design Logic

Designed to be modern and contemporary, the inspiration for this project was a simplicity in materials and the juxtaposition of warm wood against cool granite. Large windows and window wells bring lots of light into the interior spaces, including the basement, for the comfort of future tenants.

crowfoot crossing shopping centre

commercial

Design by Pappas Design Studio Inc.

Scope of Work

Lead by a design team out of Montreal, Crowfoot Crossing underwent a complete facade overhaul while still operating as a shopping center. Providing the production role in the project, Duel Architecture was mainly responsible for all the technical details and specifications to make the design vision a reality.

Design Logic

Duel had a small role on the design aspect of the project.

yardhouse - kensington

commercial

Scope of Work

The interior space required a refresh and update. A cleaner more contemporary look was desired.

Design Logic

Taking cues from the wear and tear on the existing surfaces, materials were chosen that were more durable and could withstand the constant use in a pub environment.

urban light house

commercial

Scope of Work

A tenant fit out in an existing building. The design direction was to provide a straight forward design for a young professional company.

Design Logic

Provide a space that is new, fresh and full of energy.

academy building addition

commercial

Scope of Work

The site was an existing hole in the ground. The client wanted to create an attractive leasing opportunity in that underutilized space.

Design Logic

The site was in a great location for a pedestrian oriented business. A simple design was undertaken to match the existing building and provide great leasable space.

airdrie business park

commercial

Scope of Work

Working with a desirable, but challenging site location, the scope of this project has changed numerous times in the journey to find the right balance of development. The first iterations involved a residential component. (see conceptual designs for The View) The current design focused on the development of a commercial complex. Two different schemes were produced. The first scheme had four buildings, each with four storeys, and the second scheme had four buildings each with two storeys.

Design Logic

The client wanted a traditional looking design. The project was to be simple, cost effective, and built with simple wood frame construction.

5th street nw

residential

Scope of Work

A single family infill home.

Design Logic

The homeowners wanted a modern home with clean contemporary lines.

bow crescent

residential

Scope of Work

To add an addition to an existing single family home.

Design Logic

Based on the existing home, the addition was done in the traditional style.

first PARK station

commercial

Scope of Work

A new commercial building for a potential of six tenants in a predominantly industrial area. The client was looking for a different aesthetic.

Design Logic

Based on the location and the surrounding environment, the resulting building was reflective of the industrial context. An industrial architecture was incorporated through the material selections and color choices. Based on the location the sign was oversized to have high visibility from the adjacent busy highway.

alture midcity

residential

Scope of Work

Aimed at young professionals, Midcity was developed to incorporate a new design choice in an existing neighbourhood. The context of this development brought a clean line contemporary building to a typical late 1970’s community. The use of simplified materials maintained the desired look while providing a budget conscious building.

Design Logic

Midcity was designed to be a simple, but not a plain building. A contemporary style pallet was used that incorporated a flat roof, modest massing and a simple colour scheme. The visual interest of the project was developed through façade articulation.

1ST AVE TOWNHOMES

residential

Scope of Work

To take two typically sized inner cities lots and redevelop them with eight new townhomes. The scope of work included the City of Calgary rezoning process (land use redesignation) to allow for the increased density on the property.

The community was engaged for input on the land use redesignation and for the design aspect of the project. As a result of the community engagement, the project was redesign to reduce the overall building height and address community concerns.

Design Logic

The challenge was to fit eight separate units on the site while providing each of the units with desirable spaces and amenities. The slope of the properties was used as a benefit to the development, allowing both lower level private garages and main floor street access.

The exterior of the project was to look like a modern row house with traditional elements. Brick was chosen as an exterior finish to bring in the traditional touch to the clean line modern design.

strathmore business centre

commercial

Scope of Work

This project was taken over part way through. The scope was limited to the design of the front canopy and the interior spaces.

Design Logic

As a commercial space, the project was designed to be functional for everyday use. Natural materials and earth tones were chosen to finish the interior spaces.

1204 Kensington

commercial

Scope of Work

To update the exterior of the building with a facelift and modernization.

Design Logic

The facelift brought clean and modern lines to the façade of the building. Glass block was introduced to bring natural light into the stairwell, while providing a visual modern detail.

northbow education foundation

residential

Scope of Work

A unique spiritual space, located in a residential setting. The programming included suited living space, spiritual spaces as well as open spaces for conversing.

Design Logic

The building was located in an existing neighbourhood and was designed to resemble a large home. The design was very traditional and influenced by the craftsman style. The building was to feel like a large home for the comfort of those using the space.

7th ave nw

residential

Scope of Work

An inner city modern side-by-side infill home to fit into the context of the existing community. The development of a side-by-side increased the density on the site of an existing single family home.

Design Logic

Although designed as a side-by-side, the use of articulation and materials allows the building to also read as two separate homes. Natural materials of stone and wood are used in contrast to the clean modern design.

savana strathmore

residential

Scope of Work

Savana Strathmore is a multi-residential development comprised of four separate buildings each containing 48 residential units, for a total of 192 units.

Although formal LEED® initiatives were not followed, this project was able to incorporate some standard low cost environmental principles, such as natural, native plantings – and passive irrigation. Low flow water fixtures were installed and energystar® appliances were specified within the residential suites. Of all the environmentally friendly measures used in the project, the most notable achievement was the heat recovery system for the parkade. By recycling the exhaust air from all bathrooms into the parkade, the system is expected to save 75% operation costs of the parkade over traditional systems. This system was integrated into the architecture at almost no additional cost or compromise in the aesthetics of the project. In-floor radiant heating and flash water heating round out the sustainability aspect of the project.

Design Logic

With clear views of the mountains, the design concept was to bring the mountains to Strathmore. A mountain architecture aesthetic was incorporated into the project through large rustic wooden timbers and natural stone.

As a project designed for high density community living, it was also important to connect the residences with the outdoor amenities and public green spaces. Natural and earth toned colors were used to help connect the building to the landscape, while the glazing features helped connect the residences to outdoors. The building also maintained a respect to the human scale.

espy experience

commercial

Scope of Work

Located in a then newly constructed building, this project was an interior tenant fit-out for a designer clothing boutique.

Design Logic

Looking for something unique to reflect the brand and image of the store, the design was developed as a balance between an art gallery and retail space.