Decaplex One

DecaPlex One — 8 Avenue SW, Calgary

This ten-unit multi-residential project in West Calgary was developed through a rezoning from R-C2 to H-GO, one of the first projects we undertook under the new housing category. Its name, DecaPlex, reflects the “deca” for ten dwellings and “plex” for the building form. The process involved a steep learning curve with new rules, multiple rounds of revisions, and careful negotiation between zoning, safety, and design goals.

The development is split into two buildings. One contains two primary units with secondary suites, while the other steps up to three levels of stacked townhomes with basement suites. Together they create ten homes, each with its own entry, private outdoor space, and access to a shared landscaped courtyard. The suites add a layer of affordable housing to the mix, broadening the options within the neighborhood.

Balancing the H-GO rules with fire safety requirements was one of the most challenging parts of the design — ensuring every unit was properly protected while maintaining efficient layouts. At the same time, the developer pushed for the highest standards of aesthetics and livability, asking for homes that felt generous despite their compact footprints.

Parking and services are handled with a five-stall covered carport, lane-access waste and recycling screened from view, and secure mobility storage and bicycle stalls. Landscaping with drought-tolerant plants and irrigation ties the site together.

Clad in Hardie board, brick veneer, and ACM panels, the DecaPlex One project shows how H-GO can be applied to create thoughtful, higher-density housing that fits within established neighborhoods while raising the bar on quality and design.