artKtecture - our past, present and future

artKtecture began as the dream of designer Kelly Neufeld. With a background in photography and a diploma in architectural technology he worked for a decade designing wood framed homes in Alberta. He worked as a freelance designer and was also employed by several home builders during this period. On his own he designed many custom homes ranging from tiny mountain cabins to luxurious estate homes. He contracted to an architect in Banff AB Canada on commercial storefront designs and residential renovations. For the home builders he designed many custom homes, stock plans and some stunning executive and resort show homes.

After a few years he began to seek out a better way of living, designing and building. This search led him to Africa where he experienced earthen construction and natural plasters. He wandered through villages helping locals replaster their mud brick homes, learning as he went.

Later, he went to the west coast of Canada where he researched cob, light-straw clay and mud brick construction in more detail. While visiting an ecovillage on Vancouver Island and helping to build a cob healing sanctuary he met Elke Cole, an architect involved in a natural building project in India. "I was so inspired I just had to go" said Kelly. A few months later he was in India building a meditation hall with stone and cob. During this time he received his permaculture design certification from Ecological Solutions (Australia). "This experience has shown me a better way of living and a better way of designing that I promote to my clients at every opportunity."

These past experiences have shaped the future which looks very bright for artKtecture. Environmental awareness in the housing industry is growing and alternative building methods are no longer on the fringe. artKtecture is hoping to become licensed by Natural Resources Canada in 2007 to become a plan evaluator for the R2000 program. This will allow us to model homes for energy consumption and make informed design choices to minimize energy use and maximize value for the home owner.

Currently, artKtecture is still designing custom wood framed homes. However, our passion is natural building and sustainability and we have recently designed numerous cob, cordwood, ICF and strawbale homes. We are also proud to have recently been a consultant to a builder in central Alberta for their proposal to obtain funding for a "Net Zero Energy Healthy Home".

artKtecture is available for design consultation, construction drawings, project management and natural building workshops. If you are an individual looking to build your dream home or a small home builder looking for innovative, environmentally sound designs, give artKtecture a call today. We offer a free, no obligation initial consultation.