Heritage

The Thousand Islands House builds on foundations dating from the early 1900’s. Time and a disastrous fire had left this once-dignified family retreat on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, a shadow of its former self. The impressive stone foundations, and ground floor of the lodge were salvaged and integrated into a generous shingle-style cottage, with a large verandah and screened porch, under a sweeping wood-shingled roof. New stone was carefully selected to expand the porch and add steps down to the river, improving the connection of the cottage to the landscape while respecting the original character of the grand house. Many heritage wrought iron features were thoughtfully reused throughout the property. Upon entering the home, a double height foyer with vaulted ceiling and a craftsman portal window seamlessly tie the well-preserved ground floor to the new second storey. The addition of the second storey allowed the house to be fully updated with modern amenities such as a laundry room in the new living space, while respecting the heritage character of the ground floor. 

Under the huge shingled gable, the second-storey balcony is sheltered a rounded arch with a tongue-and-groove pine ceiling finish, adding warmth and charm while maximizing the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The monumental stone chimney punctuates the new cedar shingled roof, enhancing the home’s grand yet charming architectural appeal. This renovation honors the home’s rich history while adding modern comforts, creating a serene and luxurious retreat in one of Canada’s most picturesque regions.

At the northwest corner of Carp Road and Richardson Side Road, stands a stone schoolhouse with a history stretching back to 1883. Once known as Mulligan’s School, SS No. 1, it was gifted to the community by Thomas Mulligan in 1820, after he purchased the land. Today, this building takes on a new purpose, as the Cheshire Cat Pub.

Having burnt out in 2013, the design approach for “The Cat” included protecting the heritage of the building through retaining and restoring as much of the original stone schoolhouse as possible. During the fire, the roof had collapsed, destroying the original bell and cupola. Using historic photos of the building the bell tower has been carefully reinstated, returning the schoolhouse to its former glory. The entrance vestibule was refurbished with new board and batten siding and wood-hung windows, echoing the original design. The stone masonry was repointed, preserving the solid foundation and maintaining its original character. Delicate "gingerbread" details and the original soffit and fascia were restored, bringing back the fine craftsmanship that once adorned the building.

A new board and batten kitchen was designed to respect the heritage of the stone schoolhouse. The kitchen addition mirrors summer kitchens of late 19th-century rural Ontario. Many stone and masonry buildings of this period had board and batten additions, whether it was for a summer kitchen or an attached wood shed. Small gable dormers on the new roof echo the stone peak of the school, making it feel as though the kitchen addition has always been there. During construction, great care was taken to preserve the old trees surrounding the building, enhancing the heritage character of the old schoolhouse

While demolishing it for a higher-density project was an option, the team saw greater value in preserving its character to create true loft-style apartments. With few buildings remaining in this part of Ottawa that can represent its local history, maintaining a sense of heritage was both a priority for preservation and a key marketing focus. Early in the design process, meetings with the local counselor and community associations helped gain strong support. 

The first phase transformed the existing structure into 16 loft-style condominiums, keeping its footprint, windows, and three-story height intact. A recessed penthouse, glass retail doors, stonework, and industrial-inspired lighting modernized the space, while pedestrian-friendly details and indoor parking enhanced the streetscape. Inside, the industrial character was celebrated with exposed concrete columns, refurbished wood floors, and visible ductwork. Sliding partitions and curved walls added contrast to the raw structure. 

The second phase added an eight-story building with 39 loft-style units, underground parking, retail space, and rooftop amenities. Every design choice balanced innovation with respect for the building’s industrial roots and the neighbourhood’s history.

Alice’s Cafe is in a new, low rise, urban infill development in Ottawa’s West End Village of Carp. The small in-fill includes a café, walk-apartments, balconies, a generous cafe porch, bike racks and green space, capturing the heart of Ottawa’s vision – “Building Livable Communities”. Designed to emulate the historic buildings that surround it, the new cafe ties together the various and disparate pieces of the village, creating a renewed sense of place. The historic churches, rectory home, farmers’ market, ice-cream shop, boutique retail, florist, village apartments and homes along the main street are given a new sense of belonging and purpose. In a sense, the part has given redefinition to the whole, and as the locals attest, “the heart of the village beats at the cafe.” Alice’s draws in “dispersed country neighbours” as well as cyclists and motorists from across the region and beyond into its friendly and old-time embrace.

The intimacy of heritage villages around the world, require that any building enhances its surroundings not only along the main street but on all sides. Each side of Alice’s is in conversation with the daily lives of the village community. While tourists drink coffee on the front porch, a neighbour may stop at the kitchen door to say hello to the cafe staff, or wave through the window to someone in the dwelling unit above. The storey of the village unfolds on all sides. Bike parking and pedestrian pathways foster this vibrancy. 

The human scale of the new cafe makes it approachable and inviting. The generous porches and large windows facing Main Street engage people walking by. Inside and out, the café’s gathering spaces have become an integral part of village life. It is a  a buzzing center of conversation, a meeting place, a place to read and catch up on the local news, and a place for local talent to perform.  This work of urban design has successfully re-animated a once quiet village main street.