We were approached by the homeowners who were looking for a refreshment to the front of their house. They needed something that would add depth and character while still maintaining the homes original integrity. Something that matched their home style without looking like an obvious renovation.
After doing some research we found out that Moore Park was developed in the 1890's by Canadian business man and politician John T. Moore. To encourage buyers of his new development, John Moore built the original steel bridge over st. Claire and a smaller wooden bridge on Moore ave.
Based on the time period and style of homes in the neighborhood our team concluded that "Tudor Revival" was the prominent architectural style of the area and armed with that knowledge we began our work.
First order of business was to clean the outside brick and re-point the mortar joints. This involved using natural cleaners and detergents to remove decades and grime and soot without damaging the bricks. Careful preparation was made to ensure plant life was protected among other things. After the bricks were clean we began tuck pointing which required the removal of all the old mortar between the bricks. We used angle grinders with specialty blades that were attached to dust extractors to eliminate airborne dust. This process is important not only because it ensures the safety of workers but it also ensures the surrounding areas don't get covered in dust. Once the old mortar was removed we began adding new mortar and cured the joints with a V-styled finish which was the typical for the homes time period.
Next, we began construction of the front door awning. We wanted something that would match the style of the neighbourhood and appear as though it had been apart of the house all along. We needed something that would cover the front porch entrance without being too over bearing to the rest of the house. Considering the architectural style of the neighbourhood, our team researched typical awnings of "Tudor Revival" homes. The "Tudor" element embodied that of the Tudor monarchs while the "Revival" elements gave way to a more simple, rustic look. That being understood and everything else being considered we made several 3D renderings before we landed on a design that satisfied both ourselves and the home owner.
Lastly, we added 2 lights on either side of the awning to balance everything out and add more lighting presence.
From start to finish the Moore Park project allowed us to explore a variety of different options creatively. We were able to blend old world style with new world style without comprising the homeowners original vision of project.