Rowan House Schematic

Rowan House is a women’s emergency shelter located in High River. In 2018, the organization was looking at opening a facility in Okotoks. As a part of their due diligence, we prepared this schematic design for the site.

The facility required 16 modest sized self contained apartment-style units with shared laundry facilities. As well, an administration area with 16 offices, a reception area, plus staff, copier, server and supplies rooms was needed. Further, counseling rooms, group rooms, a children’s centre, pantries, a loading area, and a large donations storage room were included in the program.

Our initial concept was informed by the local agricultural context and the utilitarian, yet familiar, farm buildings that were visible from this site at the edge of the town. As the design was refined, it took on a comfortable Prairie Style aesthetic, though with clearly modern formal relationships.

Architecture and Rendering: Gravity Architecture