When we first broke ground on our Hazeldean garage suite project, we introduced a concept that sits at the heart of what we do at Energy Efficient Homes: gentle infill.
We committed to adding density to one of Edmonton’s oldest, most beautiful neighbourhoods without disrupting the charm of the block, ignoring the neighbours, or sacrificing the maturity of the lot.
Today, after months of documenting every milestone, from navigating complex development permits to pouring the rock-solid Insulated Concrete Form foundation to carefully bringing together each custom detail, the design has officially come to life. The keys have now been handed over to the homeowner!
Welcome to the grand reveal of the energy-efficient Hazeldean Garage Suite. It is living proof that a backyard home can be gentle on the neighbourhood, exceptionally functional, and kind to the environment.
How Does Infill Affect Edmonton’s Neighbourhoods?
One of the biggest concerns homeowners have about infill is how a new building will affect the look and feel of a mature street or alleyway. From day one, our goal was to make sure this suite felt like a natural extension of the existing property and neighbourhood.
By carefully managing the backyard’s massing and suite’s rooflines, the garage maximizes its footprint without casting imposing shadows on the neighbouring yards.
But the real magic happens the moment you step inside. Thanks to the high-performance, triple-glazed windows and the airtight envelope we’ve been building over the last few months, the hustle and bustle of the outside world completely disappears. It is pin-drop quiet.
The Ground Floor: More Than Just a Garage
In one of our past blogs, we explored how we planned for the future on the ground floor. We talked about how crucial it is to design a garage space that works well for the homeowner today and can adapt for the next generation decades from now.
Seeing that vision fully realized is incredibly rewarding!Â
Whether this space is used for secure parking, a workshop, or additional storage, it’s designed to adapt for the future, complete with 240V-ready outlets for electric vehicle charging and garage door windows that bring natural light into the space.
Most importantly, we’ve established a flawless thermal boundary here, ensuring that no cold garage drafts or vehicle fumes will ever make their way up into the living quarters.
One of the most unique features on the ground-floor is the bonus room, which we transformed into the dedicated yoga and exercise studio of the client’s dreams. With large south-facing windows bringing in natural light throughout the day, the room is bright, warm, and peaceful.
See more inspiration for how we design ground-floor spaces in our garage suite builds by reading our past blog or watching this video:Â
The Living Space: Where Aesthetics Meet Energy-Efficiency
Walking up the stairs and into the main living area, the immediate feeling is one of openness, light, and warmth.
In a compact garage suite, every design decision matters. Our strategic window placements flood the upstairs with natural sunlight, making the smaller footprint feel grand and airy. Even during Edmonton’s long winters, the suite will feel bright, open, and connected to nature.
When looking through the windows, you’ll notice another intentional design choice: the views are directed toward the property’s own green spaces and across the alley, completely protecting the privacy of the surrounding neighbours.
In the warmer months, opening the balcony door will create a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, making the home feel even larger. This is one of the reasons we love incorporating balconies into our garage suite designs: they create valuable outdoor living space without increasing the building footprint itself.
The kitchen is a true showstopper! We helped the clients select high-performing Energy Star appliances, including the induction range, fridge, and dishwasher, which integrate seamlessly into the custom cabinetry. Beyond their clean appearance, these appliances were chosen for their energy efficiency, quiet operation, and long-term performance.
What You Don’t See Matters Most – The Energy-Efficient Elements That Set This Garage Apart
At Energy Efficient Homes, we always say that what you don’t see is what matters most. While you can see the beautiful finishes and the sunlit rooms, the indoor climate truly sets this build apart.
Our Thermal-Lock insulation system and high-performance triple-pane windows ensure the suite stays comfortable year-round, reducing heating costs during Edmonton’s colder months while minimizing drafts, cold spots, and temperature swings. The airtight building envelope also improves sound insulation, creating a quieter and more energy-efficient home.
In a typical build, insulation is added between studs, which leaves gaps in protection, so anywhere there’s framing, there’s an opportunity for heat to escape. Over time, this leads to cold spots, drafts, and higher utility bills.
The Thermal-Lock system solves this problem by wrapping the entire wall structure in continuous rigid foam panels, creating a tight, interlocking fit with no gaps. The continuous layer ensures there’s no thermal bridging, no gaps, much less energy loss, and less sound pollution.
Picture this: a quiet, comfortable home that stays warm through Edmonton’s winter, cool in the summer, and is more affordable to operate year-round.
The Future of Edmonton Housing
This Hazeldean project represents the future of Edmonton home building. It is a gentle, low-impact way to build multi-generational housing or create a premium, eco-friendly rental space that will stand the test of time, without contributing to urban sprawl.
What’s your favourite feature of the new suite? Is it the sunlit, breezy living room, the custom yoga room or the hidden energy savings? Send us an email to let us know!
We’re incredibly proud of how this suite turned out. We want to extend a massive thank you to our clients, our incredible team, and to you for following along!
We can’t wait to share what we’ll be working on next.
Considering a Garden Suite?
If you’re considering a garden suite of your own, or are interested to learn more about what’s involved, please reach out to us at info@eehomes.ca or 780-708-4660.
Learn about how we use Thermal-Lock to insulate our builds!
For more insights on thoughtful, energy-efficient infill, follow us on LinkedIn, we regularly share Edmonton’s bylaw updates, project stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the Energy Efficient Homes team.
About Energy Efficient Homes
At Energy Efficient Homes, we believe infill should feel good, for your family, your neighbours, and the neighbourhood as a whole. Every project is rooted in collaboration, designed with care, and built to support a more livable, walkable Edmonton.
If you’re interested in building a garden suite for your backyard, please reach out!
