The Story
This project resulted from the client’s desire to separate and develop a downtown 50′x100′ property into two separate pieces of land. The product of this was the Bent and B-Line houses. For us this project created the unique opportunity to design two houses that would become a part of the urban fabric while also being immediate neighbours.
We are the Ottawa Architect on record for the Bent and B-Line residences. These are homes that share some common characteristics but also have their own unique feel and elements to ensure privacy. Both residences are clad in locally harvested cedar, have extruded aluminum reveals at the corners and use reclaimed metal panels that were gathered from other demolition sites. The homes each have interior gardens that look out onto the shared courtyard. Private outdoor spaces at the back of the homes and green roofs create secluded spaces for the residents to enjoy.
For B-Line we introduced a three story high open area over the ground floor interior garden. The large vertical volume with mechanical operable skylights promotes the “stack effect” where heat rises up the space in the summer months (passive cooling) while also allowing winter sun to penetrate all levels (passive heating).