Gardens on Main
Address: 247 Main Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Date: under development
This is a unique site located at the corner of Kuhn Drive and Main Street. It fronts on a busy 4 lane highway to the east and a large municipally owned green belt on the west. The local community has been under accommodated for many years with most workers and students commuting from other areas of the City. The area needs a considerable input of housing to meet the local need.
The resulting proposal hopes to mitigate some of that need through the development of a 14 story, multifamily residential project that will provide 148 residential units. A portion of the project will be dedicated to affordable and student housing. 15% of the units will be fully accessible.
Underground parking will be provided for bicycles, electric scooters, electric cars, and motor vehicles. A roof top community garden and patio will provide enhanced biophilic experience for the tenants.
The use of projecting bays, large windows and generous balconies will provide abundant access to daylight and views and will add distinction to each apartment.
The building will be constructed of materials chosen for their aesthetic quality, local availability, durability, and energy efficiency. Windows will be triple glazed. Roofs and walls will be insulated well in excess of code requirements. Solar panels will be incorporated into the building to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Covered balconies, will extend the use of these outdoor spaces by providing shade and protection from the weather. The building is projected to exceed the National Model Energy code by 40%.
An iconic coloured band of light will extend vertically along the north façade of the building as a gestural acknowledgement of the cultural diversity of the community.
2828 Gottigen Street
Address: 2828 Gottigen Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
Date:Currently under construction
This project, at the corner of Bilby and Gottigen Streets, challenged us to create a building that provided much needed housing in the urban core. We believe every apartment dweller should have outdoor space and a fully functional apartment and further; the building must be sustainable, durable and energy efficient. Also, the project should provide connectivity with the street and have a positive impact on the neighbourhood.
This has been achieved on this 500 sm corner lot. All 40 units have access to patios or balconies. An outdoor patio on the roof top serves the tenant community. The colour pallet is a nod to the rich emigrant culture that has settled Halifax’s north end. The Clock is provided as a community benefit.
Nelgah Place
Address: 660 Kings Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia
Date: Completed 2022
Nelgah Place was designed specifically for older adults and seniors. The 64 unit, 4 story project is located near the shores of Sydney Harbour. Units are large with generous covered balconies. The east west orientation of the building takes advantage of the views and passive solar warmth of the sun.
The building is highly energy efficient and constructed with durable and attractive materials.
QUEST SOCIETY SMALL OPTIONS HOME
Address: 2 Lynnett St. Halifax, NS, Canada
Date: Completed 2022
This is a home for developmentally and physically disabled adults. The tenants have a complex set of needs. 24-hour care is provided. The interior mitigated for environmental sensitivities.
Space for secure wandering and pacing both inside and on the deck accommodated tenant needs. The building was oriented to use the most of what the natural environment provided.
The project was developed along Passive House principals with high levels of insulations, triple glazed windows, future solar array, durable building envelope and more.
Bayview Terrace
Address: 617 St. Margret’s Bay Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date: under development
The site presented a complex set of variables as a starting point. The 1021 sm site is sandwiched between two streets, one being a busy arterial road the other being a quiet residential street.
The change in grade between the two streets is 11 meters over the 40-meter depth of the site. To the east is a green belt and to the west a lot on which the client plans to expand in the future. To top it off the boundaries align into a complex trapezoid.
We designed a 7-story terraced residential complex that includes 24 apartments. We preserved over 30% of the site as open green space in addition to the roof top garden. The apartments are unique but efficiently aligned. They include our usual set of criteria – generous balconies and windows, fully equipped bathrooms and kitchens, underground parking for vehicles, EV’s, micro-vehicles and bicycles. We have preserved many of the mature trees.
The building is designed with durable materials, triple glazed windows, highly insulated building envelope, and roof top solar panels. The building is anticipated to exceed the National Model Energy Code by 40%.
All units and common areas are accessible friendly and over 15% of the apartments are fully accessible and barrier free.
The project is currently proceeding through the municipal planning process.
Hi Richard,
The entire KWRA TEAM loves this architectural look from both streets. Well done on a very tough parcel of land.
Enjoy Your weekend.
Kevin
Kevin W. Riles
Founder & Owner
KWR Approvals Inc.
Crichton House
Address: 92 Crichton Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Date: 2015
The Crichton House is located in the quiet heart of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It overlooks the Lake Banook and is surrounded by the trees.
The design of this house was unique in that it had to fit the shape of the slope and respect the surrounding vegetation.
The Crichton avenue façade is distinguished by its atypically shaped and sized windows.
The lake façade seems to blend into the natural landscape.
This house is what we could call an invitation to travel between city and nature.