Elemental Architecture
1006 Clear Lake Rd. Unit 7 P0C 1M0 Torrance, ON, Canada

A New Deck and free standing gazebo to accent an existing cottage. It's great to see it coming together.

It was Paris the other day. Today is Sicily. This one like the previous is the home of a renowned designer and like the previous is ridiculously stylish. Unlike the previous, this one is simple almost spartan. It's remarkably full of the owners personality, but the decor allows the space to simply be.

I came across these interior shots of a little Parisian studio that just oozes style and personality. Felt the need to share.

Situated in a quite inlet off Georgian Bay, the client was looking to make the most of his tiny piece of paradise. A structure of modest scale, clad in Shou Sugi Ban outside and whitewashed cedar within.

I inherited this project, the 4rth design firm to take a crack at it. The clients had been dissatisfied with the exteriors as proposed by the previous firms and though much of the interior layout was "not up for discussion" I was able to work with what I was presented and get something that the client was genuinely excited about. The home owners were looking for an ultra contemporary renovation to an existing bungalow. A modest 1200 sqft mid 50's brick bungalow was to be turn...ed into the new flashy kid on the block. A mixture of muted grays, charcoal and black with flashes of hot rod red. The interesting thing is that many of these contemporary houses are showpieces for the owners. They live in the basement and the bedrooms and the ground floor is left showroom fresh at all times. These people plan on using the home... well... like a home. So interior materials need to be selected not only for aesthetics, but for durability. This young family of 5 plan on living in their new home. Even the ground floor layout focuses on family living, with specific areas for the kids to study, the family to play games and build puzzles and a dining room that can accept a large table for extended family gatherings. This home is currently under construction. I'll have photos of this project, when completed, up soon. For now it's drawings, drawings, drawings.

An interesting project that was ultimately defeated by family politics. The design was for a replacement of one of the original Muskoka Cottages built around the turn of the 20th century. The existing structure, badly damaged by years of neglect and the handywork of countless "weekend warrior renovations" it was not to be saved. Our build site is atop an elevated point of land the sits out into the Muskoka River, with water on 3 sides. It was an interesting site, with a myria...d of municipal and environmental restrictions, Including being limited to the original cottage footprint and height, but we got through them. The clients wanted a cottage that had the character of the original Muskoka cottage we would be removing, but was a modern, light and airy structure. They wanted a central area for entertaining and living that would operate as the heart of the home. I decided on a soaring double height volume at the living room. This was to open towards the river through a rondella of windows and be warmed with a large wood burning fireplace located at the centre of the cottage. All public space within the build were to focus on the fantastic river views that opened before the cottage. An open concept ground floor and large elevated deck that extends the living space further out onto the point, all add to the dynamics of the design.

A few drawings we completed for a project that's currently on hold. We started with a simple 3 bedroom 24'x40' lakeside cottage that just didn't meet the needs of it's new owners. I was called on to rework of the kitchen, add a Muskoka room, a new master bedroom suite rework the 2 other bedrooms into usable spaces and create an actual roadside entrance (something currently lacking) Lot's of light and as much transparency as possible was the desire. The client was keen to "add... contemporary character" to the place, but keep it a relatively humble build "We want to maintain as much of the existing cottage as possible, but rework it as required to get us what we want". In truth little remains of the original cottage save for the floor plate, two 24' long end walls and parts of the original roof. In the end, the client was immensely happy with the results as far as design and material selections. Unfortunately the design program or desire to maintain the original structure where possible, couldn't be compromised or reworked sufficiently to keep the build within budget. So on the shelf it went, for the time being. Fingers crossed we see this one come to fruition.

A few construction photos of a place I did a few years back. Because of the clients profession, there is limited access to the site. I do hope to return some day and photograph the finished home, but until then these will have to do. It's a 16000sqft. 'Tudor Castle' located on a 10 acre lot just outside of Ottawa, Canada. 5 bedroom, 2 kitchens, 3 dining areas, 3 living rooms, 2 complete guest suites and a home divided into 3 zones for Family, extended family entertainment and... formal entertainment for clients and dignitaries. It was an interesting build aside form the shear scale of it as the zones needed to be easily divide/cordoned off, yet when opened appear as though there was no division possible. Further to this, as the family was quite religious a blending aspects of their religion into the design, in a way that was obvious only if you were aware to look for it was paramount to and an interesting aspect of the program. See more

A small (17'0" wide home on a 19'0" wide lot) urban infill we developed for a client that wanted a new build in an old neighbourhood, that would feel like it was always there. Regrettably, though constructed, the final product strays so far from what was proposed that I actually couldn't locate the house when we went to photograph it. It was only the address that allowed me to zero in. At lease we have the rendering.

Another interior we did for a developer a few years back.

This was a new build developed for resale and specifically to blend into the neighbourhood. Interior design and staging was done by us.

Another before and after. You can truly make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

So I thought It was about time I posted some of the before and after works I've done. Though fairly urban in their look and feel, they still stand as testament to what we can do for you. Yes, this is the same house. From tired 70's ranch, to English Cottage chic.

I would ask that you share this along as much as possible. Though I'm no front line worker (bless them!) I'm trying to do my part to offer some information and entertainment. Think of me as an awkward and interactive HGTV.... https://youtu.be/TzMT8pPJQaY

It's great to see your work coming into reality. A small porch entrance making a big transformation.

Our Friends over at West Edge Building Co. are bringing one of our creations to life. A simple 'cabin in the woods' is new energy and personality with this small addition.