McDowell & Associates Inc.

McDowell & Associates Inc. 501, 933 17 Avenue SW
403-245-8361
www.mcdowelldesign.com

THE McDOWELL MANIFESTOArchive Series | No. 05Located in Briar Hill, this contemporary Prairie residence remains a study ...
09/25/2026

THE McDOWELL MANIFESTO
Archive Series | No. 05

Located in Briar Hill, this contemporary Prairie residence remains a study in horizontality, asymmetry and light almost 20 years after it was built.

Broad eaves and low-sloped roof planes create a sheltered silhouette, while warm wood soffits, smooth stucco, natural masonry and ordered glazing establish depth and rhythm.

A full-height glazed stairwell forms the composition’s vertical counterpoint, drawing light into the plan and quietly defining the entrance. The flanking volumes extend outward, connecting the home to its terraces and mature landscape.

Architectural Note: Relevance is sustained through clarity of purpose, not adherence to a moment.

Builder: Cortina Crafted Homes
Architectural Design: McDowell & Associates Inc

OVER 30 YEARS OF FUNCTIONALLY REFINED RESIDENTIAL DESIGN.

The McDowell ManifestoArchive Series | No. 04A well-resolved home begins with an equally considered plan.Recognizable al...
09/16/2026

The McDowell Manifesto
Archive Series | No. 04

A well-resolved home begins with an equally considered plan.

Recognizable along Elbow Drive, this contemporary residence with distinct industrial influences demonstrates how orientation, materiality and proportion work together to shape both the architecture and the experience of living within it.

Brick piers divide the façade into measured bays, while expansive black-framed windows establish a disciplined rhythm and draw natural light deep into the home. A broad hipped roof and deep overhang reinforce the horizontal composition, balanced by the vertical sweep of the glazed stair tower.

The result is a home designed from the inside out. Its exterior expression reflects the organization, flow and lifestyle considered within the plan, while a restrained palette of brick, glass and dark metal gives the architecture clarity and presence.

Positioned along one of Calgary’s prominent residential routes, the home has become a distinctive part of the Elbow Park streetscape.

ARCHITECTURAL NOTE
The strongest façades are not applied to a plan. They are an expression of it.

Builder: Mission Homes Calgary
Architectural Design: McDowell & Associates Inc
Photography: Chris McDowell

OVER 30 YEARS OF FUNCTIONALLY REFINED RESIDENTIAL DESIGN.

The McDowell ManifestoArchive Series | No. 03Presenting our architectural design for this Modern Prairie residence in Br...
08/21/2026

The McDowell Manifesto
Archive Series | No. 03

Presenting our architectural design for this Modern Prairie residence in Britannia.

Completed in 2024, this home is defined by strong horizontal lines, broad overhangs and low-profile roof planes that extend into the landscape.

Interlocking masonry volumes, warm wood detailing and black-framed glazing create a balanced material palette, while deep overhangs respond to Calgary’s climate by shading the home in summer and welcoming lower winter light.

Inspired by Britannia’s mid-century homes, the design carries Prairie principles forward through contemporary proportions, restrained detailing and a lasting connection to place.

Architectural Note: Prairie architecture isn’t defined by horizontality alone, but by the way shelter, structure, and landscape are composed as one.

Builder: Rawlyk Developments
Architectural Design: McDowell & Associates Inc

OVER 30 YEARS OF FUNCTIONALLY REFINED RESIDENTIAL DESIGN.

THE McDOWELL MANIFESTO | ROXBOROA study in restraint and proportion.Completed last year in Calgary’s Roxboro neighbourho...
08/11/2026

THE McDOWELL MANIFESTO | ROXBORO

A study in restraint and proportion.

Completed last year in Calgary’s Roxboro neighbourhood, this residence draws from classical European principles, distilled into a contemporary language of proportion, rhythm and permanence.

Balanced massing, a low hipped roofline and restrained masonry establish a quiet architectural order. Arched forms and steel-framed glazing bring rhythm and light, while the rear elevation opens to layered indoor–outdoor living.

Inside, axial planning, sculptural light and material honesty continue the story—architecture designed to endure quietly, confidently, completely.

Build Partner: Tyrrell Custom Homes
Architectural Design: McDowell & Associates Inc
Interior Design: Paul Lavoie Interior Design
Photography: Andrew Hollander

OVER 30 YEARS OF FUNCTIONALLY REFINED RESIDENTIAL DESIGN.

The McDowell ManifestoArchive Series | No. 01Some homes reveal their quality most clearly with the passage of time.Desig...
08/06/2026

The McDowell Manifesto
Archive Series | No. 01

Some homes reveal their quality most clearly with the passage of time.

Designed more than twenty-five years ago, this residence is best understood as a European Country Estate with French Château and English Manor influences. Its architectural expression is grounded in disciplined proportion, balanced massing, authentic materials, and a restrained approach to detailing—qualities that have defined enduring residential architecture for generations.

Viewed today, the home illustrates why these principles continue to shape contemporary design. Much of what is now discussed under the banner of New Heritage reflects a renewed appreciation for architecture rooted in precedent, craftsmanship, and material integrity rather than changing fashion.

The terminology may be contemporary. The architectural principles are not.

Architectural Note: Good architecture doesn’t become relevant again. It simply remains relevant.

— Tram McDowell

Quiet confidence in every line.Located in Elbow Valley West, this recently completed custom residence draws on Modern Pr...
08/04/2026

Quiet confidence in every line.

Located in Elbow Valley West, this recently completed custom residence draws on Modern Prairie principles, balancing clean geometry, expansive glazing, and a restrained material palette.

From the strong horizontal rooflines to the layered landscape and thoughtfully proportioned façade, every detail was considered to create a cohesive architectural expression and an exceptional living environment.

Build Partner: Ikos Luxury Developments
Architectural Design: McDowell & Associates Inc

OVER 30 YEARS OF FUNCTIONALLY REFINED RESIDENTIAL DESIGN.

Address

501, 933 17 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
T2T5R6

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14032458361

Website

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