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Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc.
RR8 S28 C14
5801 1st Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4P4
T: 403.320.8100
F: 403.327.3373
Murray Residence,Cypress County, Alberta |
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Located in the country, just south of the City of Medicine Hat, is the beautiful residence of Paul & Kim Murray. The site was analyzed for the best possible views and outdoor environments, and the spaces were laid out to respond to the natural setting. On such an investment as this family heirloom, it was imperative that the close collaboration was realized to ensure the Murray’s would have a custom home to perfectly suit their lifestyle. Kim had very strong ideas of character of the home, and how the spaces should relate and function. By contributing professional expertise, Paul & Kim’s vision became reality. Paul had grown up in an historic home in Brandon, Manitoba so the warmth and feel of a historic style was incorporated to capture the ambiance and feel of this family home. Even some of the spatial details, such as a hospitality washroom under the staircase, were emulated. |
Custom Residence, |
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Designed into an escarpment overlooking a beautiful lake environment, this home was designed to be an optimal home for retirement. The home is ideally suited to build memories with a large family of children & grandchildren. The client, who aspired to a career in architecture before becoming established in the wood industry, collaborated with Alvin Fritz in the design of the residence based on the concept of finding shelter under three overturned canoes. The theme is expressed with a structural solution of three bays of curved glu-lam beams, spanned with tongue & grooved decking – evoking interior canoe construction. The structural design support is by Equilibrium Consulting out of Vancouver. A Nana-wall system opens the glass wall to all the views, blurring the line between exterior & interior – fostering well-being by integrating lifestyle with the natural environment. |
Rinaldi Residence,Medicine Hat, Alberta |
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Brent and Edith Rinaldi have created a masterpiece by restoring and renovating their historic residence which overlooks the South Saskatchewan River. From gilded cornice, to marble and granite floors, to kitchen environment second to none, this historic mansion provides commensurate spaces to accommodate their exquisite art, sculpture, and historic furniture collection. When ARFAI was engaged to expand the residence to the South, it was logical to open up the historic home by engaging the River Valley. A glazed wall the full width of the home opens up the living environment to the beauty of its natural setting punctuated by a rhythm of columns. The overhang to the south with its iconic colonnade is perfectly calibrated to the azimuth angles of the sun. In conjunction with the full summer foliage, the overhang keeps out the hot summer sun while allowing the winter sun to penetrate through the filter of the branches providing natural lighting optimally for all seasons. The spectacular kitchen environment provides for gourmet opportunities open to the sculpture gallery and the River Valley beyond. A machined stainless steel and beveled glass railing provides access to the lower level with unprecedented elegance. The lower level is a continuation of the art collection augmented by a collection of bicycles, another of Brent's passions. The most recent undertaking, presently underway, is the four season conservatory planned for the upper-level deck environment over the gallery space. This project will provide for spectacular views from an elevated vantage point overlooking the River Valley. The design of the conservatory enclosure will harken back to turn-of-the-century conservatory construction. |
Zabalotney Cabin,Alberta |
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Imagine an idyllic setting nestled into the toe of the Rockies, at the setting a rustic cabin environment that optimally supports an equestrian penchant, and you have the Zabolotney cabin. Mel Zabolotney from Thomsen Fisher Insurance had crossed paths with Alvin innumerous times prior to their collaboration on the cabin design. The Zabolotney family had long had a dream of a mountain retreat, and the desire for an opportunity to get out enjoying equestrian activity in the natural environment. The cabin had to be designed to accommodate multiple family groups, and to provide for copious verandah and deck environments to maximize the interface to the great outdoors. The outcome of the collaboration stands as testimony to an exciting and fruitful design experience. |
Ewasechko Residence Expansion,Medicine Hat, Alberta |
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Having discovered an effective design synergy during the development of the Courtyard Centre, Dr. Kirk Ewasechko and Alvin Fritz maintained an ongoing relationship over the years. When it came time to envision an expansion of Kirk and Bonnie Ewasechko's residence, ARFAI was engaged to collaborate with the Ewasechko's to create a truly remarkable design. As the Ewasechko's daughters were maturing in the family home, it had become evident that some renovations were required to effectively accommodate active lifestyles. ARFAI had assisted with these changes, effectively providing ergonomic environments providing for the girls through their teen years. Now arrived the opportunity for wholesale expansion, Kirk and Bonnie who have always loved clean and modern lines, had a vision for a dynamic expansion that would provide a very unique expression on their riverfront home. Fully glazed walls opening onto an expansive deck and balcony areas overlooking the river frontage provide an unprecedented interface between home and garden. It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to the last steps in seeing this exciting and dynamic architecture come to fruition. |
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