The serendipitous way this project happened is worth sharing. During an afternoon visit to SB's with a friend, I order my usual drink (Tall Americano, no room, in case you were wondering) from the barista. She asks my name, and I answer clearly “Dory”. She then looks back at me and says “Azar? The Architect?”. Caught off guard, I confirm that yes, that’s exactly who I am. She goes on to tell me that she had just e-mailed me that morning to see if I’d be interested in designing a major overhaul and revamp of their newly acquired waterfront home. I said yes, that’s something I would look at, and then went off to enjoy my coffee. I immediately checked my e-mail and found nothing. Checked our general inbox, and nothing there either. So, prior to leaving I approached her again and offered a business card saying that I never received her e-mail. As time went on, that first e-mail never actually arrived, but subsequent ones did, and so began the journey of reimagining their new home. This young couple, who are crazy cool and marvelous, embody everything that makes a project like this successful.
We broke the project into three chunks. First was an addition of some kind at the roadside of the home for a more welcoming presence. The second was a covered patio with a balcony above from their master bedroom. The third was an entire overhaul of the interior of the home, included an expanded kitchen, a custom staircase, and a music appreciation area. The project is under the jurisdiction of the local conservation authority ERCA, which will require special detailing and attention to comply with all requirements.