This year CANTERRA Design + Build is again a finalist for not one but three GOHBA Housing Design Awards categories, which we’ve outlined below. We’re so thrilled to be nominated among the best of the best from Ottawa’s most talented architects, designers and builders.
All three CANTERRA projects were custom designs that are unique, ensure ample natural lighting flooding the homes, key space for entertaining and living and make us so proud to feature for you to dream about a custom build!
Custom Home (3,001 sq ft. or more)
The Forest Contemporary: CANTERRA Design + Build
This custom home was built for entertaining in mind for indoors & outdoors. The two storey, four bedroom, three car garage, with in-law suite, is an open concept floor plan, to accommodate the space for the primary family with live-in aging parents.
The space flows seamlessly upon entering the home boasting contemporary styling & modern sleek finishes throughout. Expansive amount of glazing for natural lighting floods the home.
A two storey entry extends into the two storey great room, featuring a 72″ linear fireplace with wood veneer feature wall. The mezzanine splits the space overlooking the foyer & great room, interconnected to two storey cultured stone feature wall anchoring the entire open main level together. There is access off the foyer to an open concept office with glass wall.
The “U”-shaped floating open riser stairwell with sleek modern guardrails, features two storey window glazing on two walls creating a corner focal point. An in-law suite situated on the main level uniquely designed, complete with a private outdoor amenity space for independent living & entertaining.
The second floor features a master bedroom with an open concept walk-in closet & spacious master ensuite, plus three additional bedrooms, with a shared and private ensuite & a Laundry room with ample circulation space to iron & fold clothing.
A large ultra-modern style kitchen, with massive walk-in pantry, with a huge island & stools that flows into the covered lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen, tying the indoor space with the outdoors. The outdoor amenity space includes an in-ground pool & outdoor cabana complete with a sitting area with a fire pit. The Dining Room serves as the main eating area & formal dinner functions.
The house situated in a heavily wooded forest setting, surrounded by nature. The surroundings makes living in this home feel like you are on luxury holiday in a private resort like setting.
Custom UrbanHome (3,001 sq ft. or more)
Barrhaven Contemporary Rustic: CANTERRA Design + Build
This two storey, five bedroom, three car garage home was designed for functionality and maximizing use of space for a busy family with four young children all involved with extracurricular activities.
As you enter the impressive 9’ tall solid wood door into a large foyer with two storey volume space and then flow into the main living areas. Off the foyer you can access a large home office, & the main “U”-shaped stairwell, custom fabricated with a steel frame structure & 3″ thick open risers from the basement to the 2nd floor.
Prominent features are the contemporary styling with modern finishes throughout, mixed with distinctive rustic elements such as a custom fabricated fireplace mantle, furniture, décor, & doors using over 100 year old barn beams & planks.
A large modern style kitchen with walk-in pantry, & full height cabinetry with a huge island with stools ties into the main dining room. This also leads to the outdoor covered lanai easily accessed through a 16′ wide, 6 panel bifold door tying the indoor/outdoor living space together. A few more steps down leads you to the swimming pool area & cabana.
The great room elevates to a 15’ ceiling height, with expansive windows flooding the space with natural light. For convenience, the mudroom can be accessed from a side entry, and is furnished with a bench to accommodate all 6 family members, with a special feature built-in slide for hockey bags & equipment.
The laundry room can be accessed off the mudroom and is enclosed with a sliding barn door.
The second floor features four individual children’s bedrooms with shared ensuites & a master bedroom with fireplace & access to a private balcony retreat. The master bedroom also features a spacious walk-in closet with full ensuite & a morning kitchen built-in.
Custom Urban Home: Semi-detached
Rice River View: CANTERRA Design + Build
The goal of these three storey, four bedroom, semi-detached dwellings were to achieve a large scale urban feel as the cornerstone of these contemporary homes. They also have a spectacular bonus feature with over 750 sq./ft. roof top outdoor amenity terrace space, overlooking the Ottawa River.
The development provided a perfect opportunity to create a beautiful design while demonstrating a good use of land and effective infill development.
Prominent features on the exterior are the 3-sided square bay windows, & tastefully selected exterior finishes accentuate the homes’ sense of movement and unique design elements. By incorporating more stairs inside the units, it brought the entry closer to grade making it more inviting, and created a high ceiling feature inside the main entry.The oversized double tandem garages are deep enough to park 2 vehicles.
Every level offers finished space to maximize the unit’s footprint at over 3,500 sq./ft. for each semi. They are also accessible with a modern self-supporting open riser stairwell with 3″ thick treads & glass guardrails. Other notable features are the open concept main floor with office featuring a full height glass wall allowing the light to flow freely into the home. Full height square bay windows to the floor are incorporated in the rear wall, provide a more open feel & allow more light to flow in. A large kitchen with island offers plenty of cooking surface & storage, including a walk-in pantry and wet bar/servery area for entertaining which separates the kitchen to the formal dining room.
The second floor features an ample size laundry room, with three bedrooms, two of which share a jack and jill bathroom with a main hall access bathroom serving the third bedroom. The master bedroom features a wall-mounted gas fireplace and open concept ensuite with the 3-sided square bay windows.
We have loved working on every aspect of these projects. The CANTERRA team will be on hand when the awards are presented at the 36th Annual Housing Design Awards Gala on October 19th. We can’t wait to see everyone’s hard work celebrated!