April 12, 2013
Our Zen Barn is featured in “Canada’s EcoHouse” magazine
This project has already received kudos from its community as the “best new build” in the neighborhood, and is now being recognized for being “green.” A candidate for LEED platinum certification, the article talks about the design and construction decisions that were made regarding sustainable practices which included everything from its orientation on the site to using reclaimed wood siding on the exterior. Enjoy the article. And as always, let us know if you have any questions or comments.
January 10, 2013
Houzz Tour - Zen Barn
December 7, 2012
New Edinburgh Heritage & Development Committee praises our B.R.I.C.K. award winner
In October we told you about the B.R.I.C.K. award our Zen Barn received for best new build in the community. We thought we’d share part of an article written by a member of the community Heritage & Development Committee commenting on why this project won.
“Good design is good design, whether it is modern, contemporary or Victorian. Good design ought to include a sense of harmony with the streetscape and neighbours. Harmony need not mean uniformity. Modern can juxtapose century or mid-century design through selection of sympathetic materials, respect of scale so as not to dominate, and through balance of setback and inviting green spaces commensurate with the surrounding properties. Be it modern or traditional, when done right good design “fits.”
“This award winner is an example of sympathetic design that resonates with neighbours and passers-by. It doesn’t tower over the surrounding houses. The environmentally conscious approach is evident in the use of reclaimed barn board on the exterior front of the home. Neighbours have taken notice and clearly appreciate the thought and consideration taken by the new homeowners.”
By Paula Thompson
November 27, 2012
Our Moraine House, Waters Edge House and Escarpment House all featured in Toronto Home Magazine
We are thrilled that 3 of our projects have been featured in recent issues of Toronto Home magazine. Both the Moraine House and Escarpment House were featured in the 2012 Country Homes issue, and the Waters Edge House was just published in the 2012 Winter Issue. Toronto Home interviewed each of the homeowners so you can read all about why they love their homes – and see some fabulous new photos.
To see the full articles click on the project pages for each of these houses – and look under “ Magazine Feature”.
November 12, 2012
The Power of Glass
Chris Simmonds and Rick Shean (intern architect with CSA) “love glass”. Sheila Brady talked to both Chris and Rick – as well as homeowners and other architects – in her feature “The Power of Glass” that appeared in the November 10th issue of the Ottawa Citizen. It’s a great discussion on glass architecture. A couple of our recent projects were noted in the article – see below for a photo of one of them.
November 2, 2012
New housing projects
Take a look at the “Work” section of our website to see 4 housing projects that we’ve just posted.
Under “Multi-Residential” there is The Eddy – a condominium project that we’re doing with Windmill Developments - on Ottawa’s booming Wellington Street in Hintonburg. The other project is Action Ottawa Housing – an apartment/row house building in Ottawa’s east end.
Under “Custom Homes & Gardens” we’ve added the Ottawa River House – which is a modern beauty right on the river. And the New Edinburgh House (another custom home we’ve just posted), has already garnered an award. It was voted “best new build” in the community for 2012.
The Eddy – new condo project with Windmill Developments.
October 15, 2012
Our firm picked up 5 awards at the GOHBA Housing Design Awards Gala
on Saturday night.
Many thanks to the organizers of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders
Association, who put on a great event at the Ottawa Convention Centre.
We were thrilled to win awards in 5 categories.
Our Rothwell Heights renovation (noted in previous news items on our
website as the "Joan Rivers House") won the prestigious Peoples' Choice
Award. The same project also won Green Renovation of the Year.
(This home also won for Most Outstanding Renovation at the recent Ontario Homes Builders Association awards)
Take a look at this home on our website here.
Our Cornwall River Home (see photo below) won in the Open Category which recognizes the best project built outside of the Ottawa area, including the U.S. and international locations.
We joined forces this year with Cedarstone Homes and with them picked up top honours for our design in the Small Builder Category for Single Detached Homes 2500 sq. ft. or more.
As well with Cedarstone Homes, along with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, we won for Production Kitchens 130 sq. ft. or more.
And we'd like to congratulate one of our own. Rick Shean of our firm,
designed his own home in the Hintonburg area, and it won best Custom Urban Infill.
Lastly, our firm has teamed up with RND Construction on a number of projects over the years and we congratulate Roy Nandram and his firm on winning numerous awards on Saturday night - including Renovator of the Year.
October 5, 2012
Burgh Renovation Improvement and Construction Kudos
We have just found out that our Ivy Crescent home has been awarded the New Edinburgh Heritage and Development Award for best new build in the community. The B.R.I.C.K. (Burgh Renovation Improvement and Construction Kudos) award is given, by the local community association, to a new home or renovation that has a positive impact on neighbours and the streetscape - due to its quality of design, landscaping, “green considerations, and sensitivity to the neighbourhood. It is a huge compliment to have the neighbours in the community like and appreciate our designs. Thank you.
See a photo of the house in the October 1st news item below.
The award will be officially presented in mid-October.
October 1, 2012
Ivy Cresent Project
This recently completed beauty is getting a lot of attention. Neighbours and passersby are stopping to comment – and the consensus is – everybody loves it! We’ll be putting it up on our website soon, but in the meantime we’ll tease you with this exterior night shot from the street.
September 25, 2012
Rothwell Heights renovation wins at OHBA
Our Rothwell Heights project (aka the “Joan Rivers House”) won “Most Outstanding Renovation” in its category at last night’s Ontario Home Builder’s Association Housing Design Awards, held in Collingwood. There are some great before and after shots of this reno on our website – take a look. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, and many thanks to the organizers who put on a great event.
