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10.16.2013

Advanced Residential Project Inspiration: My Abandoned Dream House

This term our big studio project is advanced residential, a 4000 square foot house that we must design from scratch, including the exterior. It also must be barrier free as one occupant is in a wheelchair. Oh, and the plot of land we are designing on is a hill.
It's an intimidating challenge to say the least, but I'm ready and excited to face it head on.

As I started thinking about ideas, I knew I had to go visit my dream house for inspiration.
This house hasn't been lived in for years and is now owned by a large company whose warehouse is adjacent to the property in St. Jacob's, Ontario. It sits mostly abandoned. There is a haunting, historical, charming presence to the house that has always drawn me to it.  With halloween right around the corner, it was the perfect time to go snoop around this abandoned beauty.
I've always said if I ever have enough money to build my own house it will look exactly like this. The red brick, large porch and balcony, regal columns, ivy covered walls and tall windows are all speaking to me. I also love the formal courtyard that is enclosed by a low brick wall and shrubbery, although it's in a state of disrepair at the moment:
 If the house wasn't right next to a giant parking lot now (such a shame), well I think I'd move right in - ghosts and all! I swear I heard a door shut while I was peering into the windows at the empty rooms!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!
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12 comments:

Brooke said...[Reply]

I totally get your obsession with this house- it's beautiful!! I love I gold houses like this. It's my dream to find one at an affordable price in a great neighborhood and renovate it to be my dream home. It's so sad this one isn't in a great location anymore.

Heather said...[Reply]

Oh my word, that is a Beautiful house!!! Such a shame its next to a large parking lot ---AND vacant! You're right it's lovely. Best wishes with your new project!

Brooke said...[Reply]

Haha oops- typing on my phone. I love OLD houses, not "gold" houses. (Although that would be nice too;)

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...[Reply]

Isn't it so sad when you see a great house like that left empty?! It's my dream one day to get my hands on one of those old empty houses and just go to town on it! :)

Tara {The Silver Lining} said...[Reply]

This is stunning! If it's this gorgeous still while being abondoned, I can only imagine how breathtaking it would be fixed up. That courtyard looks like it could be such a magical place! Good luck with your project.

Veronica Lee Burns said...[Reply]

Okay I'm in love with that house now...

Unknown said...[Reply]

What a dream project! Did you know my husband and I used to professionally restore historic homes? It's so much work but so rewarding!!

Albertina M. Cisneros said...[Reply]

oh its beautiful!! I love it. How is it so well maintained if its abandoned? Your challenge is exciting.

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...[Reply]

Love the house too.

Unknown said...[Reply]

Designing 4000 square foot house is surely gonna take time. I am excited to see how it will look like after completion.

Plos Constructions

Unknown said...[Reply]

It really helps to have an actual visualization of your dream house, right? The idea of every detail can really give you a certain thrill, that it somehow brings you so much closer to achieving it and turning your dream house into reality.

Marjorie McKay

Unknown said...[Reply]

I can’t blame you for obsessing over this house. It is such a beauty! It’s a shame that no one lives there now. Anyway, how did your project come along? I hope your dream house did serve as a big inspiration for that project. Keep us updated!

Terry Kennedy @ Deadwood Real Estate Center