The Molly & Claude Team

The Molly & Claude Team Realtors Ottawa, Royal LePageTeam Realty

Architecture – Chicago School Style

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After the great fire of Chicago in 1871 Chicago needed to rebuild. The opportunity to build anew meant it could define it’s own style.  It’s own North American style.  And so the Chicago School style takes shape.

An important characteristic is the steel-frame with masonry cladding. This allowed for larger windows. The classic Chicago School windows were a large fixed pane flanked by 2 smaller double-hung sash windows. The building was divided in three, the base at street level, the middle portion with little ornamentation and finally the cornice which could be quite elaborate.

Brooks Building


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Architecture – Stained-Glass Windows

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Stained-Glass Windows truly are beautiful! And on so many levels! The design! The Artwork! The play of light! Featured here are 16 of the world’s most breathtaking according to Architectural Digest: and they should know. The one pictured above was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. I attended a classical concert at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris – it is quite stunning so much glass that you wonder how is this standing.


Architect – Barry Padolsky

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I think it might be fair to say that Ottawa would not be Ottawa without Barry Padolsky’s contribution. Oh of course other architects have their iconic buildings, but Padolsky is everywhere: and you may not have been aware. Plus of course he sits on the Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee at City Hall and tries to ensure that architectural contributions of the past survive the live on into the future.

Better start with Mercury Court as it is his signature piece and where his office is situated. My only question is why is Mercury now static I seem to remember he would spin in the wind.




Some time ago he restored and added to Strathcona on the Park in Sandy Hill.




His glass addition on the Victoria Memorial Museum is stunning. I don’t remember the details, of why the original tower was removed but my recollection is weight, sandy soil, and sinking. This is great as it is a glass echo of the original stone structure.




The Integration of Grant House into a new construction is to me how heritage ought to be done as much as possible. The original structure in front and the new build behind. Not for nothing this building merited so much praise.




One of the classic school to condo conversions Ecole Guigues is beautifully done. The condos with their high tinned ceilings and tall windows are striking.




This refurbishing of 170 Lees makes is a great improvement.



The reconstruction of the Ogilvy store is another heritage success story – it now proudly stands as a landmark at the eastern end of the Rideau Centre.



Finally Art House as well as the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court redevelopment. This delightful multi use building in Sandy Hill yet to completed holds much promise for the arts and and culture community. Of course I had to include a picture of the foyer because of the Swan chairs.




Of course I had to include a picture of the foyer because of the Swan chairs.



To read more about Barry Padolsky & Associates and see more of what he`s done go to his web site Padolsky-Architects.


Architect
Barry J. Hobin

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Barry Hobin is a very popular architect in Ottawa, and he has been popular for many years.

I can’t drive down Island Park Drive without looking at 512 Island Park Drive – I`d suggest curtains or blinds in the living room and dining room but that`s just me.

512 Island Park Drive


299 Soper place is extraordinary, I think it`s been on the house tour twice. I was in the last time; what seems like a huge house with 2 wings which means endless walking is not at all the case. One wing is for general living the other guests, teenagers, a home cinema, and a gym.

299 Soper Place


Molly and I recently listed and sold a Barry Hobin construction on Charlevoix. Oh so many moons ago I lived in a Hobin designed townhouse on Crichton Street (173 to 179). As you can see he`s gone from wood to brick to glass steel and concrete.

30 Charlevoix Street


Of note are three projects he has done in collaboration with Charlesfort. The Hudson at 235 and 245 Kent Street, The Merit at 108 Lisgar, and The Continental at 75 Cleary. All three are what I would like to call neo-deco. Some are calling it Art Deco but that is not the case as the Art Deco period was from the 1920s to 1930s. We can certainly say Art Deco inspired – definitely or in the Art Deco style. (we can have a whole conversation on Art Deco and Art Nouveau – and someday soon we will). It was amuzing to me that I left the country for 10 years and when I came back all of these Deco inspired buildings had sprouted and I really wondered what has happened here. Doesn`t seem to be a Deco revival elsewhere in the world it`s a Doug Casey / Barry Hobin thing.

Hudson Park – 235-245 Kent Street


The Contenental – 75 Cleary Avenue


The Merit – 108 Lisgar Street



Architect
I.M. Pei

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The Louvre Pyramid


Todays architect: Ieoh Ming Pei. Known as I.M. Pei. Born in China he set up his practice in Chicago: a great American city for architecture. He just seems like a delightful man. Must be the round glasses!

J.F. Kennedy Library


Of late he is most known for the glass pyramid at the Louvre. Thought initially controversial it provides a much needed proper entrance to the museum. He is also known for the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. The East Building of the National Gallery of Art (US). And the Museum of Islamic Arts Qatar. Now, at 99, he has retired from the firm he created and does some consulting work for his son’s firm.

East Building of the National Gallery of Art (US)


HK Bank of China Tower


Museum of Islamic Arts



Angelina Jolie Buys:
2000 DeMille Drive

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Angelina Jolie does well with Real Estate! She has just entered escrow for 2000 DeMille Drive in the Los Felix area of Los Angeles, just south of Griffith Observatory (perhaps the observatory forms part of the city view). The house was formerly owned by Cecil B DeMille. I was designed in the Beaux Arts Style. Think The Palais Garnier in Paris. That can be the topic of a future Wednesday.

Clocking in at 11,000 square feet it is a large house – but the current decor is not ostentatious quite the contrary its very warm. The master bedroom has french doors opening to the garden. Love the library and the bathroom. Beyond the room with the taupe sofas seems to be a desk with ghost chairs – great room. And the gym overlooking the pool is nice. Overlooking the pool would be a reminder of why you need to continue the workout a few more minutes: must look good by the pool.


Architect
Douglas Cardinal

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Another locally know architect today: Douglas Cardinal. Based in Ottawa, Cardinal, born in Calgary, Alberta, is of Blackfood ancestry.

Cardinal is best known for the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau which was constructed in the 80s.

He also designed the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC in 2004.



More recently he designed the Wabano Centre in Vanier. A centre for Aboriginal Health.




About Us

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Claude Jobin Représentant des ventes

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Phone: 613.804.7979
1723 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario