I think the building catalogue is a good idea (as mentioned, derisk developments -- especially for newer/smaller builders but also in smaller markets where missing middle units aren't going up all the time). And there's a lot of good in them; a good mix of bedrooms, accessible ground-floor units. But the AB units look like the worst-designed of the group; here are the MB/SK and Atlantic fourplexes, both about the same size as AB Fourplex 01:
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The AB fourplex 01 has four 2 BR units with nearly identical layouts (the AB units are almost all just mirrored front and back; really lazy-seeming designs. I'm glad the AB architect is Edmonton-based). The MB/SK one has two different sized one-bedrooms on the main floor, one larger with walk-in closet and ensuite that seems much more marketable, and then a smaller near-studio that could be more affordable, with two 2-BR plus den units above. The Atlantic one has four unique floorplans -- one unit with a large BR and one with two small BR (and a tiny bathroom) on ground, a second floor with a 3 BR unit and the living/dining of a unit with 2 BR on the third floor along with a nice little rooftop terrace.
I know that everyone thinks their local climate requires special snowflake designs, but I suspect most of the designs could be built in most places. (The territories do have really unique challenges that do require some different designs.) Especially if the premise is that Victoria and Prince George have the same cllimate but not west and east Lloydminister. I think that this was a bit of a missed opportunity; rather than having 6 architects do 7 designs each to represent their regions, it would have been a better use of the same resources to have the architects do 5 or 6 designs each, then use the rest of the budget to evaluate each other's designs, and determine if they would work in their areas as-is, if they could be done with small modifications (e.g. bedroom windows need to be 2" wider here, or change the front door to a French door to meet Bill 96), or if they need substantial modifications (the staircase turn is too sharp, which wound require redesigning the main floor to move the staircase). There would then be a library of maybe 30 designs including a bigger range (AB doesn't have a triplex or stacked townhouses, for example; on the other hand, AB rowhouse 01 is by far the smallest and could fit weird shaped lots). And in most places maybe 20 if the designs would work as-is or with a slight alternate plan.
