From the Blog Archives - Page 243 of 358

Heritage Preservation

April 22, 2018 by Claude Jobin

I know, I know we’ve featured 231 Goulbour Street before but a more general take on heritage today. Nice article by Jonathan McLeod expressing why heritage preservation is important.

Ottawa Condo for Sale
West Centre Town
154E Spruce Street West
Exclusive Listing
$349,900

April 21, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Exclusive listing – before MLS! Your opportunity to buy before the property fully exposed to the market.

The District – 2 bedroom stacked condo by Domicile. Location, location, location. West Centre Town, on the edge of Chinatown, Little Italy, Hintonburgh, and Lebreton Flats. Open concept living / dining / kitchen with gas fireplace. Kitchen has gas range and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood on both levels. Private deck off of living room with gas hookup. Insuite laundry. Steps to shops, restaurants, and did I mention Art-Is-In Bakery in City Centre – the new hipster hot spot! Close to the Trillium Pathway. Low condo fees. Walking distance to the future LRT station.

Fleurs de Villes – Bayshore

April 20, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Doing my best to provide you with a virtual spring from post to post. Been going on for a couple of days but you still have the week-end to head to Bayshore and see the exhibition Fleurs de Villes.

Summer Weather Forecast Ontario

April 19, 2018 by Claude Jobin

I know some of you like spring! I do as well! Meanwhile lets get ready for a long hot summer. And when the mercury hits 35 remember what -35 feels like and sing like Marilyn.

Architect –
The Right Honourable,
Norman Foster,
Baron Foster of Thames Bank

April 18, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Norman Foster was born in Cheshire in 1935. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Manchester, England. They were quite poor. His studies began in the UK and ended in the US. Upon his return to the UK he set up Team 4, a company which quickly earned an international reputation for its high-tech industrial design. He is one of the UK’s most prolific architects. Foster was knighted in 1990, appointed to the Order of Merit, and elevated to the level of peerage in 1999. Foster has earned too many awards to mention here. As it was in 1967, the average age in his firm is 32; Foster likes to attract young blood. Archdaily states that if Foster was a household item, he’d be a swiss army knife.

Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters 1975
One of Foster’s earlier buildings. Now a landmark of the High Tech architecture style.

HSBC Main Building, Hong Kong, 1985
The most important factor in its construction is the lack of internal supporting structure.

Reichstag Building Dome, Berlin, Germany, 1999
The original design did not include this now iconic done.

City Hall, London, England, 2002
The building has a bulbous shape designed to reduce it’s foot print and increase its energy efficiency. Built with much glass, its assembly chamber can be seen from outside – symbolic of transparency in government.

30 St Mary Axe, London, England, 2004
Known as the Gherkin it is one of London’s most recognized examples of contemporary architecture.

Millau Viaduct, Millau, France, 2004
The tallest bridge in the world. It is the result of a Franco-British partnership.

Hearst Tower, NYC, 2006
At 300 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan is the headquarters of Hearst Communications.

Wembley Stadium, London, England, 2007
Created in a manner to honour the past but clearly designed with the future in mind.

Torre Cepsa, Madrid, Spain, 2009
This 45 storey building is the second tallest in the Cuatro Torres Business Area complex.

Khan Shatry Entertainment Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan, 2010
It is the worlds tallest tensile struture. The three layer construction is designed to shelter those inside whether the weather be 35 or -35. It houses leisure facilities.

Apple Park, Cupertine,California, 2017
The project started with Steve Jobs in 2006 and has just recently been completed. The 260,000 square meters building houses 12,000 employees.

Ikea Hacks

April 16, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Apartment Therapy presents a few clever Ikea Hacks.

The Lack table is quite good. A $10 table covered in mirrored plexiglass! Wow! The same table in mirrored glas table will set you back a good amount, certainly more than $10 plus the plexiglass. Of course, plexiglass is such that you’ll need to be careful not to scratch it.

The Ikea Malm dresser with the gold contact paper is quite nice. Yes yes in the right setting. And likely will not endure the test of time as well.

There are a dozen ideas here so go let your creativity free.

20 Fascinating Public Sculptures

April 15, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Architectural Digest presents 20 fascinating public sculptures.

CREA – Canadian Real Estate Association – Statistics

April 14, 2018 by Claude Jobin

The Canadian Real Estate Association has released its March 2018 statistics. Interesting to note that on a National perspective sales are down and prices as well. Not what we are experiencing in Ottawa.

Built Heritage Sub-Committee Denies Permission to Demolish Lester B. Pearson’s 1950s Home

April 13, 2018 by Claude Jobin

Yesterday the Built Heritage Sub-Committee voted against the application to permit the demolition of the Ugandan High Commission at 231 Cobourg Street where Lester B Pearson lived for a period of time. Pearson who received the Nobel Peace Price in 1957 resided at this address from 1955 to 1958. Ultimately the property is part of Prime Minister’s Row.

The High Commissioner to Uganda is furious! She says this will not enhance bilateral relations between Uganda and Canada. I don’t really don’t understand that another country can decide what should be preserved and what should be demolished. I’m pretty sure this behaviour from us in other countries would not be acceptable.

They have occupied the building since 1984, and since then have either not maintained the building or poorly maintained it. They blame the soil for the deterioration of the building. Barry Padolsky and Sandy Smallwood point out that yes there are soil issues in Sandy Hill but it does not result in the need to demolish the property if it is maintained. And so the demolition proposed was not one caused by the soil but by neglect.

They need more space fine, that does not mean allow for the demolition by neglect!

Should you wish to listen to the audio from the Built Heritage Sub-Committee meeting you can here.