In Ottawa, a Dilapidated Carport Becomes a Perfect Perch for Birdwatching
Designed by 25:8 Architecture, the high-flying addition provides a couple with an elevated lookout—and space to stretch their wings.
Designed by 25:8 Architecture, the high-flying addition provides a couple with an elevated lookout—and space to stretch their wings.
This striking addition was designed for a family of birdwatchers—but if you had a pair of binoculars in hand, it would be pretty hard to resist turning them on the project itself. With its wing-like design and angular vernacular, this cedar-clad structure calls to mind a sparrow in flight (at least to an architecture nerd).
It’s the work of Ottawa-based 25:8 Architecture and lead architect Jay Lim. Though the homeowners (a pair of civil servants) simply asked the firm to replace a sagging carport with a small extension, Lim pushed them to set their sights higher: How did they actually envision using the space? What did they actually like to do?
When they mentioned their favorite pastime, it "kicked everything off," says Lim. The house is located on the edge of a National Capital Commission park (which is preserved and protected by the Canadian government), so feathered friends are constantly passing by. "The family has so many binoculars," Lim says with a laugh.
See the full story on Dwell.com: In Ottawa, a Dilapidated Carport Becomes a Perfect Perch for Birdwatching
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