CANVAS : WHERE ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE

Surface Development recently joined forces with artist Christopher Griffin to create two unique semi detached homes facing the Rideau River in Old Ottawa South. Griffin is known for his "concrete painting" where he carves patterns into concrete stuccos, as shown previously on MoOt. This time he performed a live art installation using his technique on the building project. 

Griffin (shown in the video below) got his inspiration from the river and natural surroundings. After finding out that the river is home to a walleye fishery in Ottawa, he decided to integrate them into his concrete painting. It's a great way to visually connect the building to the nature surrounding it and definitely makes the building a lot more interesting and unique. Perhaps this could become a signature design feature unique to Ottawa. How fun would that be. 

Jakub Ulak, who designed this project, took his collaboration with the artist a step further by commissioning paintings from Griffin so that each homeowner gets an original piece of art from the artist who inspired the project CANVAS. Also, a copy of the art will be enamel printed on movable glass panels that will be used as privacy screens on the second floor balconies. At the same time they will act as outdoor artwork, giving the effect of  being in an outdoor art gallery to the people walking by outside. 

The floor plans look very promising. Each home has essentially 5 stories of living spaces, including the basement and the rooftop living space equipped with an outdoor kitchen. The homes are currently under construction and should be ready soon. Check out the video tour below presented by the founder for a sneak peak of the interiors under construction. Hopefully there will be an open house. It would be fun to see the finished product. 

source : Surface Development | Christopher Griffin

Ottawa on Slow Home

For those who read the Ottawa Citizen last spring, I wrote an article on the Slow Home project, which spread like wild fire to many newspapers all over Canada (that was cool). Ottawa has recently been getting some attention on the Slow Home website. John and Matthew, as well as several participants recently redesigned a little townhouse for some Ottawa residents. Check out the video sessions below.





For more details on the project, check out Slow Home's online workshop section here.

For those who missed the tour

Habitat for Humanity-NCR received the biggest donation thus far: a nice home in a great neighbourhood. Called the Gift Home, it was completely revamped with the help of many local professionals in the building trade. Listed for $1,17M, the money will help build about 10 new low-income houses. For those like me who missed the tour there is a little video on it, and Design Ties posted some great pictures here.

MOOT Flickr Pool : Light House

I love this house submitted on MOOT's Flickr Pool. It's modern and unique! Located in Rockcliffe, Light House was designed by LineBox Studio.

The interior is also stunning. The house also features a roof top terrace and judging by the floor plans and more pictures here, it looks like a great home to live and entertain in.

Large Window MOOT Home in the Glebe

I spotted another great modern home in the Glebe. This one has extra large windows for maximum sunshine. I really like the horizontal wood strip and the black glass door and huge wall window next to it: Gorgeous! Looks like it's still a work in progress. I wonder what material they are going to use for the stairs. I find it interesting that they used traditional red bricks for a portion of the facing and the little wall in front of the stair. Perhaps it was to relate to the traditional house next to it.

Oresta : A Modern Building in the Glebe

I discovered this beautiful modern building in the Glebe neighborhood and I just had to share it with other modern architecture lovers! After doing a little bit of research, I found out that the building is part commercial and part residential. The store is called Oresta. It's an organic skin care confectionery offering natural beauty and personal care products, as well as chemical-free and earth-friendly treatments. Oresta Korbutiak is the owner of the store and also lives in this building with her family.

photo : Modern Ottawa

This is what the building used to look like :

photo: Kariouk Architecture

It wasn't very impressive and looked tired. But now, it's definitely an eye catcher and the art engraved on the concrete and above the main window, give it personality. I love the contrast of the wood and the concrete.

photo : Modern Ottawa

photo : Modern Ottawa

What's really neat too is the art that's been carved in the concrete. The art was created by Christopher Griffin, Oresta's husband, who's an artist. It took him about four months to do. According to his site, he's inspired by ancient artwork on cave walls, children’s art and random markings on concrete sidewalks, roads and buildings. He also often [uses] bird, fish and animal motifs in [his] work because they represent the pure, the innocent and the spiritual.

photo : Modern Ottawa

photo : Modern Ottawa

The main entrance of the residential area is also stunning with the ceiling made out of wood and the cave like carving on the wall, the little planter and bench which make it very inviting.

photo : Modern Ottawa

I absolutely love the fence and the balcony on the side of the building and the large beluga carving. There a very nice attention to details in this building and around it. Look at the walkway leading to the yard with the sunshine carving on the concrete sidewalk and the little stone wall. Beautiful!

photo : Modern Ottawa

photo : Modern Ottawa

photo : Modern Ottawa

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9.8.09

I received an email from Ivan who tells me that the architect for this beautiful project is Andrew Reeves of LineBox. I checked out their site and they have a very nice portfolio. Thanks Ivan!