THIS CONDO RENO IS A WORK OF ART
`Superlative' rework focused on owner's prized collection in every part of her home
An award-winning condo renovation in a 1970s building overlooking the Rideau Canal starts and ends with the owner's art collection.
Of course, there was also consideration for how to seamlessly downsize while creating efficient, multi-functional spaces, but influencing it all was the art.
Owner Annie Brisset “was really particular about the art pieces she would like to see in the space,” says architect Conrado Canolo of Simmonds Architecture, who was the project's lead designer. “That's why we created a space where we can showcase her pieces, pretty much in every part of the house.”
The project, which also included contractor Crossford Construction and millwork provided by Cedar Ridge Designs, scooped up four awards at last fall's Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association. It won its renovation category, best condo suite, best home office and its kitchen category.
“It was just a superlative renovation,” judge Chris Lemke of Calgary's Alloy Homes said at the time.
Turning the dated 1,560-squarefoot apartment into a warm, welcoming and modern home started with knocking down walls to open up the enclosed kitchen.
“While the dining-living area was spacious, an open concept would make it even better,” says Brisset. “In new condos, the kitchen often stands out of proportion with the remnant space. Instead of a conspicuous kitchen, I wanted mine to blend with the living area.”
That meant designing the kitchen to look like furniture, with walnut cabinetry, no hardware on upper cabinets, integrated or concealed European-sized appliances, a retractable fan hood and an island that's slightly higher than the perimeter wall counter, she says.
“The kitchen area was restricted between two walls that could not be touched. The biggest challenge there, and everywhere for that matter, was storage. Having been through multiple kitchen renovations before, I had planned what would go where and why, which allowed for precision in the choice of sizes and accessories for cabinets and drawers.”
That planning was greatly appreciated by the Simmonds team.
“She wasn't saying, `I want it to look like this.' She said, `I need to accommodate this and this,' which is great for us,” says principal Christopher Simmonds. “She was very good at being able to give us that sort of information and the freedom to create something that was special.”
An unusual feature of the redesigned space was repurposing the breakfast nook beside the kitchen into a library that extends from the kitchen, using the same cabinetry to create a wall of millwork.
“It is her own sanctuary,” says Canolo. He designed the library based on a concept of asymmetrical blocks of solids and voids made famous by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. The open spaces display art pieces and particular books, while the solid blocks hide items we don't want to see, adds Simmonds.
“Because these spaces are right beside each other, it wouldn't do to make them different finishes. You need to have this esthetic continuity.”
Brisset adds that from the living room, the display of art books and Led-lighted artifacts in the library shifts attention away from the kitchen.
“Even the TV set is out of sight. With its Eames armchair, now complemented by two small armchairs (not shown) to fit the angled windows, the library serves as a lounging area, where guests can enjoy a drink while conversing with the cook.”
At the other end of the kitchen is a clever design solution — a screen separating the front entrance and the kitchen. Mimicking the Mondrian concept of the library, it accomplishes multiple goals. It means you don't see what's on the kitchen counter, it delineates the front entrance, it offers another spot for displaying artworks, it provides more storage for things like mail and phone chargers, and it solves the problem of routing wiring to the island.
“That's a nice feature,” says Canolo. “There's a function and at the same time you're creating a design.”
Another multipurpose element of the condo is the second bedroom, which stylishly does double duty as Brisset's home office and becomes a guest room when needed.
“Every nook and cranny was made useful,” she says. A custom desk was placed along the window ledge — “facing Patterson Creek is a lovely and enticing view” — with three shallow drawers and two filing cabinets underneath — “a brilliant idea that leaves room for a queen-size sofa-bed.”
Meanwhile, built-in shelving provides lots of room for the books she needs for her academic work and a panelled wall behind the sofa bed conceals a closet for guests.
In the primary bedroom, Canolo created another elegant storage solution. With no walk-in closet, he instead wrapped closets around the walls, making room for a washer and dryer, ironing board and more. He then clad the cabinetry so they give the appearance of wall panelling and painted them white to lighten what had been a dark room.
He also created a custom floating headboard and night tables to ensure there would be enough room for a gallery of ink drawings by a friend.
“A trough along the upper part of the headboard accommodates a line of mini-led bulbs; it lights up the art pieces and provides a soft cosy light for reading,” Brisset says.
For both the Simmonds team and Crossford, the biggest challenge was executing the renovation during the pandemic.
“That really stretched out the timeline,” says Simmonds.
And for both, the best part of the project was the client.
“She was just so nice the whole way through ... that just made everything wonderful,” Simmonds says.
Brisset returns the compliment. “These were difficult times in my private life,” she says (her husband died before the renovation was completed). “Working with (the team) provided the confidence and relief I needed during that period.”
In fact, she says, while homeowners often complain about renovations being a painful experience, she wouldn't hesitate to “start all over again on a new project with the same team.”