1977 Parade of Homes

In 1977, twelve Ottawa builders got together and created a parade of 17 homes in Barrhaven. Both large builders and smaller custom builders showcased the best of their designs. While some of the designs were built in great numbers elsewhere in the city, some of the houses are one-of-a-kind.

Below are a series of pages from the brochure that was published for the parade.

Aside from the two built for the Parade of Homes (the plans above and below), one other pair was built On Westcliffe Road in Bell's Corners, in between two other pairs of similar-styled houses.

Here is the pair built for the Parade of Homes. The left house has turned the garage into a room.

This design was actually built en-masse in Bridlewood (Kanata).

Campeau built this design in Rolling Meadows (Barrhaven) and Katimavik (Kanata). I am a fan of the brick fins around the windows.

Campeau also built this design in Rolling Meadows (Barrhaven) and Katimavik (Kanata).

The Courtney model in the parade now has a substantial addition over the garage. The addition was done in a way that it matches the existing house perfectly.

This design with its great conversation pit was built in Convent Glen (Orleans).

The Holitzner addition into the parade is one of the most traditionally-styled of the bunch.

Too bad they didn't include a plan for this house. I think it was the only one of its kind built.

This is the only time I have ever seen mention of this builder. I like the contemporary lines of the design.

Minto built this plan in Barrhaven Common and Orleans Wood.

Likewise, Minto built this plan in Barrhaven Common and Orleans Wood.

This centre-hall plan has a very traditional feel. The 1970s signalled a time where the movement in suburban housing design started to move away from modernism and towards a traditional revival of styles popular into the 1980s.

This design by Tartan is strikingly modern in comparison to the plan above. A whole area of these designs were actually built a few streets away from the parade street.

I LOVE this design. The skylights in the basement are a great idea - seen at the back of the house. Although I am not sure how well they have dealt with snow pile-up in the winter. It is a shame that they only built the one house.

Another design that does not have a floor plan in the brochure. I do like the façade, though.

This plan was built in the Katimavik area of Kanata.

I hope you enjoyed this retrospective tour 35 years after the parade of homes was first built!

Extra plans!

While not built as a part of the Parade of Homes, these link-home plans built by Perez are adjacent to the Parade homes. I really like their designs, so I have also included them. Similar plans were also built in Trend Village.

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