Industrial Chic
An all black house clad in corrugated metal panel was a first for Daymark. Thinking back to my days working on much larger commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, corrugated metal siding was an affordable solution to cladding the exterior of buildings, penthouses and screens. This is far outside the norm for residential design - yet, when I took the creative leap for this house, the client quickly supported my vision for an industrial-chic exterior.
When approached for this project, I was presented with a freshly cleared lot on Georgian Bay, with gorgeous, west-facing views of Christian, Beckwith and Hope Islands.
LESSON 1: AVOID CLEARING YOUR LOT AHEAD OF DESIGN
This one stung my heart a little. While I understand that views are important, mature trees provide considerable benefits to our built environment, and in the case of projects on Georgian Bay they provide much needed protection from the summer sun in creating micro climates underneath the canopy. They also offer protection from driving rain and winds that kick up off of the Bay. Trees also provide habitat for our local wildlife. Many clients even take up bird watching from the comfort of their living room. In many cases, a new home can be harmonious with it’s environment and provide a sense of always being there. Working with an experienced arborist, tree health can be assessed, dangerous limbs and trees in poor health removed, with the end result a site that will give back to you and your new home for a lifetime.
LESSON 2: CONSTRUCTION IS CHALLENGING; CONSTRUCTION DURING COVID ADDS A NEW LAYER OF COMPLEXITY
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, construction in any case can be a challenge. with the last two years having deep impacts on the industry, and firsthand impacts on this build. No sooner was this project underway, it was ground to a halt by a global pandemic. Suddenly trades were scarce, materials increased in cost, and were delayed or not available at all, due to a completely broken supply chain. When designing, I had to be prudent, to ensure added costs and delays were minimized. And same for contractor and owner - everyone had to be creative in adapting to surprises that no one could have prepared for.
LESSON 3: SIMPLE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY
Many of Daymark’s homes appear simple, with very clean lines. This simplicity is absolutely at the heart of making them successful designs. Appearances can be deceiving though. Case in point with this cantilevered structural steel A-frame, that will be completely covered in the finished product. It’s critical that the appropriate experienced general contractor and trades are retained to execute these deceptively simple, yet absolutely intricate and complex components. I will forever be thankful for having wonderful clients that choose to do exciting architecture - appreciating the complexity wrapped up within the simplicity.
WRAPPED AND READY
Fully framed and wrapped in Blueskin VP-100, I can take a deep breath, as the structure is now protected, and interior work can commence. The exterior finish trade can also start mobilizing.
Well-concealed, a continuous roof vent allows for a well-vented roof assembly. Black 24-gauge standing seam metal roof awaits installation, to compliment the industrial-chic black tuxedo look.
LET THERE BE SNOW
A gorgeous 24 gauge standing seam metal roof was installed on this project by BC Roofing. This is where the simplicity of the design starts to fall into place. Both pods are designed to the same width, with the same roof slopes at a perpendicular. Roof heights align and all standing seam panels are the same length, creating a satisfyingly clean look.
LESSON 4: CHANGE, IT HAPPENS
As hard as we try to document as much as possible and detail each specific condition, unforeseeable items, order of operations, trade or product availability, and new information, can all cause mid-construction revisions. Our initial design called for eastern white cedar cladding and an eyebrow canopy at the inset of the facade. With lumber and material shortages, a call was made to remove these components, and continue the use of our corrugated metal cladding at the entry. I get very attached to concepts and often find myself planting foot on my original vision when it comes to execution. But having looked at these changes for months now, I have come to embrace this change, adopting a fondness for the continued simplicity.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD
I love watching projects grow and develop. It’s an incredible feeling to see our client’s so driven to create and honor a Daymark Design. In this case, a strikingly different and bold concept. Each time I approach this house I love seeing more of the concept come to life, and enjoy walking through each space with our client and trades, sharing in the pride they have in their home and hard work. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy. It’s so fulfilling and inspiring to share in their progress.
