Whitefish Architecture

New project up on the site! We're catching up from a couple of busy years and finally getting some decent photos done! . . This residential retrofit and addtition, right in the heart of uptown Waterloo, completley transforms a stuffy old colonial 1.5 storey home. While the classic facade is left intact, the rear yard brings in a fresh face and a wide vista, using brick and board n' batten finishes in a modern approach. Suoerinsulated like all our designs, the design focus...es on simplicity and durability. . . This was also our first full "dream team" project with @buttercupdesigninc on the interiors and @eagleview_construction putting all those pieces together so skillfully. A nod has to go to the dream clients as well, it was a genuine pleasure to see this through. . . Exterior photos by @stephenedgarphoto Interior shots courtesy of @eagleview_construction . . #renovation #residentialarchitecture #residentialarchitect #urbanrenewal #retrofit #durability #supernsulated #moderndesign #whiteandwood #boardandbatten See more

We've been given the opportunity to help with the updating and restoration of a very unique piece of architecture from the 1970's. . . This home was designed by architect Robert Simpson Frew, and it embraced a very modern style for its day, with plenty of triangles, unusual windows, zero overhang, and a simplified palette of painted wood siding and shingles, all tucked into a steeply sloping wooded site on the edge of an urban wilderness. .... . 50 years later the house remains an absolute architectural gem, full of unique, bright, cozy and mostly functional spaces which are loved by the current owners. It is also in need of a complete exterior retrofit. In the process of recladding we will be more than doubling the insulation, improving air tightness, eliminating thermal bridging, and addressing some of the poor detailing which came from a strict adherence to style without a deep understanding of materials, water, and weather. Visiting the site in the middle of a downpour was incredibly informative as to how the house is performing, and how the original poor drainage details have accelerated the demise of this home. . . As we work through the various details I'm wondering how many of the new so called "modern" builds happening today, with their profusion of flat roofs, meaningless jutting projections and decorative accrettions and very little attention to good bullding science will last as long as this one, or rather succumb to our rather harsh climate before their time. . . #renovation #residentialarchitect #residentialarchitecture #buildingscience #energyretrofit #70s #seventiesarchitecture #robersimpsonfrew #whitefisharchitecture #70sstyle @ Kitchener, Ontario See more

I have often joked that only 5% of our projects make it onto the website. . . This little gem of a "master with all the fixings over an actual car sized garage beside the century home" somewhere on Dietz St. is one we've done many many times. But it's always different. Every house has different lines and colors and proportions. Every client different needs and tastes and comfort with unconventional styles. Setbacks vary, neighnours are supportive or not, solar access c...omes into play, then there's all the tricky bits about how and where the old house gets surgery to skillfully make this whole new space feel like it should have been there all along. . . Built by @andyj.fischer , one of our all time fave go-to builders. . . #residentialarchitect #residentialarchitecture #classiclines #whiteonbrick #maibec #mastersuite #attachedgarage #keepitsimple See more

The Sweet Spot. . When choosing the location of a new building, we don't often get many options, particularly if it's a tight urban lot with prescriptive zoning. But occasionally we get to walk the land and hunt for the perfect spot. Not too wet, not too dry, sheltered from prevailing winds, properly oriented to the sun, breezy, nice view, and maybe even tucked into a hillside for maximum passive solar gain. Then we get into tree species, soils, accessibility, affordabilit...y, locations for well and septic, gardens and good forests, foraging opportunities, social infrastructure... . . This is the sweet spot, and we never get to check all the boxes. Working with someone who knows what to look for, and who has a love of the land, a deep desire to work in harmony with it, and a comprehensive overview of all the interrelationships means your home is going to sit exactly where it needs to in order to help you thrive in place, and allow the land to thrive around you. . . . #sweertspot #passivesolardesign #passivehouse #passivhaus #residentialarchitect #residentialarchitecture #landconsultant #landexpert #permaculture #permaculturedesign #solar #alternativrenergy See more

Never forgetting how the great lakes of this land are such a powerful source of inspiration, awe, calm, and spirit in this part of the world. Fortunate to have some time along the shores of Huron these past few days. If you ever need a reminder of just how majestic this planet of ours is, and how important it is to protect and nurture, just come sit here for a while. . . #greatlakes #greatlakecommons #Naadowewigichigami #gichigami (literally means Big Water in Ojibwe) #ontario #lakes

Nice to pass by some of our older work on the way to a new job! Extra nice to see the love people put into their landscaping and upkeep, particularly on this updated mid-century masterpiece. . . #moderndesign #midcenturymodern #mcm #landscaping #springflowers #sustainabledesign #renovation #residentialarchitect #residentialarchitecture

Just received a LinkedIn request from a specialist in "outdoor heating" Just received a LinkedIn request from a specialist in "outdoor heating"

Tucked away down Guelph St. is a place you may not have noticed. The House of Friendship, an incredible social good organization in KW, sorts and distrubutes ALL the food bank food through this outlet. Food bank trucks back up and unload, and the rest is handled by the HoF team who are the people you see if you're in need of their generosity. . . We did this renovation (inside work mostly, but also this genuine facelift, scroll for the 'before') a few years ago, to dramatic...ally improve logistics, safety, food safety, staff amenities and last but certainly not least a friendly exterior which evoked the feel of arriving at one of those classic little farm markets along a county road. Nothing pretentious, but it was important for House of Friendship to show respect for their clients by providing a pleasant experience for those who deserve a little extra care. . . I hope the House of Friendship and their clients are managing well enough, and I'm eyeing this layout and thinking it's actually a pretty good design for today's unique style of grocery gathering. Blessings to all involved. . . #houseoffriendship #fodbank #community #generosity #friendinneed #gratitude #designforresilience #triplebittomline #foodsecurity @ Kitchener, Ontario See more

Looking forward to the flush of green life force as our province leafs out. Lots of beautiful buds just about to burst, warm rains and the promise of colour everywhere keeps us going as we are all asked to enjoy our much closer to home environments. . . Forest bathing or spending time with trees is known to increase immunity, decrease inflammation, reduce stress hormone levels, and improve mental health and outlook substantially. It even works through a window. .... . Making friends with the trees outside my office window this warm rainy morning and drawing up landscape designs is good medicine for Monday. Pictured here is a little forest pavilion designed around 10 years ago in Erin, Ontario. . . #forestbathing #getoutside #green #puravida #outdoordining #residentialarchitect #residentialdesign #sustainabledesign #architecture See more

Land assessments are often overlooked when real estate shopping. Many people will look at a house extensively, and maybe pay attention to things like the view. But when you retain us to assist with making a purchase decision, we go deep. . . What we're currently looking for on this parcel and its environs:... Adjacent uses (which could be a tranquil wood lot, or a chicken barn, or a giant Roundup sprayed soybean field) Soils Drainage patterns and flood risk Wind mapping and exposure Solar access Species and health of mature trees Location and depth of well Local Phase I or Phase II environmental assessments Septic location and health Regional uses such as gravel pits Road traffic Conservation and protected areas Adjacency to amenities, food, schools Social Infrastructure Nearby surface water or wetlands (Mosquitoes! Brook trout!) Hardiness zones and microclimates Recommended regenerative practices and Permaculture approach to land use . . The list goes on but that's about all that will fit in this post. Of course we couple this with our unparalleled expertise in homes, outbuildings, and retrofits, and what you get is a very clear picture of what you're buying and the challenges and opportunities you might face when you live there. Call us to book an assessment, which we can tailor to your interests and budget. We serve all of South Western Ontario including Grey, Bruce, Huron and Simcoe, and can do remote assessments of pretty much any Canadian property. . . #landuseplanning #landassessment #permaculturehome #permaculturedesign #realestate #ontario #residentialarchitect #residentialarchitecture #landconsultant #sustainabledesign #resilience #offgridliving @ Ontario

Straw bale passive house? Yes please! From our friends at Evolve Builders Group.