“Darren, I think we should downsize,” said Janice. Darren had been thinking about it too. With Rob off to school in Toronto and Melissa living downtown with her boyfriend, they had more space than they needed. Darren and Janice decide to subdivide their lot and build a new 17’-wide “skinny” house.

The 17-foot ‘skinny house’ is a novel but controversial typology for Edmonton. While neighbourhoods of low- to mid-rise family-oriented developed would be ideal, perhaps detached single-family housing at an increased density is currently the best-case scenario for successful infill development. The present scheme falls within the prescribed setbacks but strategically ‘bumps out’ to gain much needed relief in the tight floorplan. Designed with ample long-term flexibility, serious environmental features, and up to four times the existing per capita density on site, this prototype proves to be a viable option for future infill development in Edmonton.