This interpretative centre has been designed to depict the role of the airplane opening up the north. It also defines the northern experience and heritage, with its relationship to aviation. This stems from fire fighting, mining exploration, transportation and medical services used to open up the north. The displays are educational and informative tools that explain how aircraft were used as a means to this end.
The project is sited at the existing hangar which was used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to build, service and repair fire fighting aircraft since the 1920’s. This building is considered to be an important part of aviation history and as such, is considered to be as much an exhibit, as are the aircraft and artifacts housed within.
Mr. Ellis’s work included the restoration of the hangar itself and the integration of a new modern and distinct entrance pavilion. Recent projects include the integration of a ‘virtual theatre’ that currently houses “The Wings Over the North” exhibit, designed in conjunction with Science North.
This interpretative centre has been designed to depict the role of the airplane opening up the north. It also defines the northern experience and heritage, with its relationship to aviation. This stems from fire fighting, mining exploration, transportation and medical services used to open up the north. The displays are educational and informative tools that explain how aircraft were used as a means to this end.
The project is sited at the existing hangar which was used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to build, service and repair fire fighting aircraft since the 1920’s. This building is considered to be an important part of aviation history and as such, is considered to be as much an exhibit, as are the aircraft and artifacts housed within.
Mr. Ellis’s work included the restoration of the hangar itself and the integration of a new modern and distinct entrance pavilion. Recent projects include the integration of a ‘virtual theatre’ that currently houses “The Wings Over the North” exhibit, designed in conjunction with Science North.
The 1906 home of the once President of Algoma Steel, Mr. Charles Franz, had been undergoing change since it left the ownership of the Steel Corporation in the 1930’s. It had passed through many hands, including its conversion into a doctor’s office for well over forty years. This $650,000 project was to restore the 4500 sf residence into the grand home it had once been.
Mr. Ellis’s began work by scouring the files of the Steel Company and obtained the original blueprints. From these it was determined that many structural changes had taken place over the years, including the removal of the ‘servant’s stair’ and the kitchen and ‘butler’s pantry’ and the complete abandonment of the third floor which lay in ruin. From original documents, the ground floor wainscoting was reproduced, crown mouldings replicated, etc. To integrate a new forced air HVAC system, a coffered ceiling was added in the main entry hall to cover new ductwork. The space left over from the removal of the servant’s stair became a new ground floor powder room and the plan adjusted to accommodate a master bedroom ensuite bath. A pop-out at the rear of the building was constructed to enlarge the existing bathroom to accomplish this and enabled a sixth bedroom to be constructed above on the third floor. The existing floors had been ruined in the past, so walnut salvaged by divers pulling logs from the bottom of the Ottawa River from the log runs of the 1800’s were used for all floors. Matching doors and hardware salvaged from demolished buildings of the era were also used to replace those missing.
Built in 1814, the Charles Ermatinger Residence is the oldest stone structure west of Toronto. Our previous firm researched and designed the original restoration over 15 years. David Ellis designed the ‘Summer Kitchen’ addition which serves as an interpretive centre and offices for this historic site.
Originally, this firm executed the restoration of the Ermatinger Residence into a historically accurate condition as it was first built. Mr. Ellis’s later work involved the design for the summer kitchen which was also to provide a historically accurate building type for the period. We wished the addition to be a living history in and of the time of 1814. As very little information remained of the original, our research yielded the typology, but not the exact plans of the structure. Mr. Ellis selected each piece of wood and stone by hand for its inclusion in the construction, matching those which would have been available in at the time of construction.
This building has a long an interesting history. Originally, built on a private island, in Canadian waters, right off the coast of Michigan, it housed a place Americans could go to and drink Canadian gin and beer during the Prohibition Era.
Once that time ended, the building fell on hard times until purchased by Dan Blocker, of the TV fame, Ponderosa and became a retreat for he and his family, but when Mr. Blocker passed away, it lay abandoned for many years and the walls began to crumble and portions of the roof fell in.
It was purchased by a Vancouver financier who wished to restore it, but with expanded quarters on the second floor.
Two small existing dormers were amalgamated into a large single expanse, creating a master bedroom suite on the second floor. Extensive stabilization to the interior, a load bearing fireplace and north exterior wall was required and the reconstruction of the metal roof as the first phase of work. The remaining interior fit-ups were designed to recognize the building would be unoccupied for long periods over each winder with minimal heat. The final stage in the two year task was to build a small boathouse and to provide an underwater cable from the mainland to provide year round power and data to the island
This residence currently in design, is an example of building new within an older, established neighbourhood. The client wishes a traditional design that integrated seamlessly into its surroundings. The scheme uses materials and building forms that replicate, yet do not necessarily match, those of its neighbours. Additionally the site contains many large and mature trees. The design carefully considers the location of the existing planting to minimise disruption and to reinforce the concept that the building has stood on this location for many decades.
Traditional red brick, reflecting the history of the area’s long abandoned brick manufacturing plant, is used as the predominant material. Accented with a mixture of stone and the geometry of traditional windows. However the plan is a contemporary open concept solution that expands on the functionality of the spaces, providing a degree of modernity, with decidedly traditional appeal.