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Showing posts from October, 2016

The Mystery of the Lincoln Heights Moderns

Recently, a reader brought my attention to a handful of mid-century modern houses on the east end of Regina Street in Lincoln Heights that resemble the Eichler-built houses in California, particularly in regards to the roof lines and exposed beams. Unfortunately, I have not been able to dig up any information on these houses - other than that they were built around 1960 - so maybe one of my readers can help? The one aspect that makes these houses stand out compared to the Eichler-built houses is that the Ottawa versions have large windows overlooking the street. As much as I absolutely adore the Eichler designs (some were designed by my favourite architect A. Quincy Jones), they are very inward looking, often focusing on a central courtyard. The privacy this provides is noteworthy, but so too is the fact that there are few "eyes upon the street" (as per Jane Jacobs). I for one know that I would not be happy in a house without large windows overlooking the street f

Costain in Ottawa Part Two: Blackburn Hamlet (and Orleans) Carriage Homes and Townhouses

In Part One I shared Costain's detached plans in Blackburn Hamlet (some of which were also built in Orleans):  Costain in Ottawa - Part One: Blackburn Hamlet (Detached Homes) . This second installment in the series focuses on the Carriage Homes and Townhomes built by Costain. The Carriage homes in Blackburn Hamlet were for the most part built south of Innes  Road, with a small pocket in the northwest corner of the area. Similar carriage home designs were also built in Convent Glen in Orleans. These designs are usually only attached by the garage, although some units have bedrooms over the garage and thus are attached to the adjacent house on the upper level. A variety of distinct facade designs makes each unit more individual on the streetscape. The Harwood townhouses are located south of Innes Road at Orient Park Drive. There are a few other condo townhouse complexes built by Costain South of Innes, but these are the only plans I have. Other bu