Finally, Google Street View has gone live in Canadian Cities: Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, Quebec City, Kitchener, Waterloo, Squamish, Ottawa and Whistler. This service has been made available to several other countries showing close up of street views.
With Google Wave in the works, these new services are going to make information more accessible to consumers as well as the real estate industry.
How simple planning strategies convert this 1950s bungalow into a great small space
BEFORE
AFTER
H2O
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the streetscape in this neighbourhood at the foot of Moss Rock Park [Victoria, B.C.], the existing house was renovated, and then expanded with a significant addition towards the back of the property.
The renovation was extensive, and included new plumbing, new wiring, new exterior walls and new roof, allowing for a more comfortable 9' ceiling and unobstructed open floor plan. Changes to the original layout were dramatic - the main entrance and stair were relocated to the new breezeway which provided a connection between old & new. A patio was added to the front of the house to establish a relationship with the street.
The "pod" addition became the new workspace for an accomplished graphic designer, housing studio on the main level, master bedroom and ensuite on a second, mezzanine level and roof deck on a third level, with views south to the water & mountains.
For more information, visit SOS website: http://www.sosdesign.ca
Related Article:
Building a House: Modern, Minimalist and Exciting - Times Colonist July 14th 2009
Two Live-Work Homes by SOS Design - Apartment Therapy
Before - Suburban Lot in Victoria B.C.
After -Finished Structure
WESTROCK , Victoria, B.C.
In the summer of 2004, SOS Design opened the door to its new "storefront" office in Vic West, demonstrating a commitment to responsible design by incorporating many green building techniques.
This particular project faced restrictions relating to small lot subdivision. Therefore, every effort was made to create a feeling of spaciousness, enhanced by an abundance of natural light within a very small building envelope.
By blasting rock on the site, they were able to create an 800 square foot office space which is entered at street level, keeping the private entrance tucked away at the back of the house, one level up. To help offset the small lot, they developed a roof deck which has views over the harbour to the Olympic Mountains beyond.
For more information, visit SOS website: http://www.sosdesign.ca
"Leaders in Sustainable, Healthy and Efficient Building."
Related Articles:
Keeping it simple - Times Colonist December 11, 2004
Two Live-Work Homes by SOS Design - Apartment Therapy
Westrock Live/Work in Victoria B.C. by SOS Design ORDER THE BOOK! $19.95
Bloordale Village, along Bloor Street West bordered by Dufferin and Lansdowne, has often received a lot of negative publicity in the past. Being so close to the Annex, recently new art galleries, film studios and new developments nearby are slowly revitalizing the area. With real estate prices climbing in areas like Parkdale, Beaconsfield Village, The Junction and Trinity Bellwoods, not too many neighbourhoods in the central core along the subway line are affordable anymore.
Bloor-Gladstone Public Library emphasizes community and openness, offering a nice face-lift to the street front.
Area Attractions:
Paul Bright Gallery 1265 Bloor St W
Mercer Union 1286 Bloor St W
Toronto Free Gallery 1277 Bloor St W
Funktion Gallery 1244 Bloor St W
Starving Artist 584 Landsdowne Ave
The Holy Oak Cafe 1241 Bloor St W
A group of representatives from a spectrum of different neighbourhoods got together in 2007 with a vision to form an ad hoc committee in 2007 called People Plan Toronto. The group invites the public to identify problems with the planning process in the City, consider alternative models, and create an action plan for positive change.
Public consultation is often inadequate in new development planning process, leading to decisions which often leaves the public baffled.Recently, PPT came up with the concept to create a Community Planning Resource Centre. PPT proposes to take planning beyond design and architecture, and place more emphasis on development relative to the urban context, addressing issues such as marginalization, transportation and infrastructure, and community building, all of these through collaboration of citizen involvements in Toronto.
As the initial vision, the Centre will provide clear and useful information about planning, design, and Toronto's planning process to citizens and community groups; facilitate the provision of professional assistance to communities who are seeking to respond constructively to development proposals; help with pro-active community planning initiatives; and enable communities to share information and build relationships amongst each other. They have provided a survey to invite the residents of Toronto to voice their suggestions on what the objectives of Community Planning Centre should fulfill.
For more information , goto PPT website.
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