VIAs original project was this 1930’s Craftsman style farmhouse and it was in need of significant interior upgrades, and the owners’ hobbies drove the need for very impactful programming and design. Located in Algonquin Park, the property shape is narrow at the street, deep toward the Lafayette River and broad along the water’s edge – pie shaped in nature. The existing house is positioned close to the waterside of the property and enjoys expansive views of the river.
It was clear this was going to be a challenge when the owner indicated, “I want to build a 20’W X 50’ D clear span boat building shop in my front yard, and I want for it to look as if it was always here.” Additionally, they wanted to expand and modernize the kitchen, enclose a front entry porch area, and renovate the balance of the house all with the same goal…”as if it had always been here.” The functional needs of the boat building shop required large scale materials arrive on the street side of the shop, boat construction occur in the high bay shed, and a finished boat launch on the water side. Essentially, material needed to be able to run straight through the building to the river and change form along the way. The shop was positioned in front of the existing house five feet off the east property line such that this linear programmatic need could be satisfied. This placement on site also diminished the fact that this structure was sitting in the front yard and set the stage for creation of a lovely forecourt to the future compound of structures. Craftsman style architecture is composed of very strong forms and details. The existing house offered excellent cues to bring forward into the new elements. The gabled offset ridge form became the basis for all the new design work. It fit beautifully to satisfy the high bay needs for the shop and patterned a smart new small gabled bay expansion for the kitchen allowing skylighting into this space. Introduction of new window patterns and whimsical trim details following the nautical motif of boats marry the old and new seamlessly.
Check out the project page for more information!