This residence is located at 115 Scrivens Street in the historically prominent area of Britannia, in the west end of Ottawa and a short walk from Lac Deschenes on the Ottawa River. It is a modern and energy efficient home with heritage quality elements. This is a single family home with a separate, private, secondary apartment suite. All of the features of the home were hand built by our team of craftsmen.
Upon entrance one immediately notices the 14ft and 8ft hand built reclaim ash hardwood multifold doors with its energy efficient triple glazing and substantial hardware. Each door opens their respective living areas to private and spacious outdoor spaces.
Also note the hand built wood elements. All hardwood was sourced from an Amish group in southern Ontario and reclaimed from a carefully dismantled 160 year old barn. See the richness in the wood through the stairs, handrails, the doors, window sills, and our custom furniture creations. Nothing is more timeless than the beauty of wood through its richness and warmth of the grain.
Furnishings in the home were hand made with their solid custom fabricated and welded steel bases with powder coat finishes. Most lighting fixtures were custom fabricated by our team of craftspeople. Solid machined brass with Edison filaments in the kitchens and front entrance, and efficient LED fixtures with a wood housing in the bedrooms.
The home extremely energy efficient. The walls are 15 inches thick and filled with a dense packed blown cellulose. This is a european method which ensures continuous insulation around any obstructions including wires or wood members. The exterior walls are R42 and the attic spaces are R60.
The heating system is a 6 zone hydronic system heated by a dedicated 97% water heater. The potable system is heated by its own high efficiency (96%) water heater. The home is also cooled by an electric 3 zone air sourced heat pump system which also provides back up heating in the shoulder seasons.
The floors are polished concrete. They possess a natural feel as the local aggregates in the concrete mixture are exposed through the grinding a polishing process. Note the variances in aggregate exposure and tone as you walk through the home. The floor is smooth, easy to clean, and radiates the in floor heat beautifully.
The countertops throughout the house were also made by our craftsmen using tempered glass and white sand. It follows a similar finishing process as the floors and the glass is beautifully exposed in light contrast to the light tone of of the concrete mixtures.
The roof is a standing seam, hidden fastener profile. The exterior cladding is a combination of locally sourced pine custom milled for us in a traditional shiplap profile, and durable, no maintenance fiber cement board. All wood elements are protected under roof projections which will greatly reduce any maintenance requirements.
History of the Surrounding Area
In 1820, John LeBreton purchased the area west of Ottawa on the Ottawa River and called the area Britannia. He resided in the area and over the years, mills and a mixed community developed. The Ottawa Electric Railway extended a railcar line out to Britannia Beach where residents of Ottawa established weekend and summer homes. Through the years the area developed into a cottage community and was known as a place of rest, reprieve from the business of the city, and amusement.
At the Britannia loop, passengers exited the train and could walk to their nearby residences or to the beach. There was an outdoor theatre, a dance hall, a yacht club, and a 1000ft pier. Swimmers and their families could safely wade out into the shallow waters of the Ottawa River. It remained popular for decades in the early 1900's. With popularity of the automobile, the amenities of the neighbourhood were met with competition from other attractions made more accessible by the automobile and near the end of the 1950's, the railroad was dismantled and the neighbourhood went into a short decline. The neighbourhood has seen a recent resurgence as new families have discovered the beauty of this historical neighbourhood with its remaining charming cottages, walking routes, old trees, and of course access to the beach. Although the rail cars are long gone, the NCC has repurposed the passageways into cycling and pedestrian paths allowing commuters one of the most scenic bike rides into downtown, or out to the technology centers of the west end.
See a movie, or enjoy the tastes of the many ethic foods along Carling. The posh shops and restaurants of Westboro are only a 5 minute drive down Richmond Rd. and access to 3 grocery stores including a vegetarian whole foods shop is located a short bike ride away.
The area calls for those who are active, enjoy the fresh air, the ability to canoe, kayak, sail, or who enjoy long afternoons at the local beach. Biking and walking are also favourite pastimes.
Proceeds of this sale fund our construction training program for at risk youth. Throughout the duration of this construction, up to 6 students at a time earned high school credits toward their high school diploma. This allows students with hands on exposure to the building industry. Through skills training and experience, these students go on to further training or work placements. Your support is appreciated.
This home was sold in February 2015 after having been on the market for 22 days.
We specialize in brass, chrome, wood and steel fixtures.
We are available custom fabrications.
All of our furnishings are hand crafted here in Ottawa. We mill and dry our own wood, fabricate, weld and finish our own steel, and finish all surfaces in the most durable yet environmentally sensitive products. Custom fabrications are available.
