Dormers? Mid-century...perhaps...modern...not so much. While the mid-century saw many modern-style houses constructed, many Ottawa builders had at least one design in their portfolio with traditional dormers windows. I have to say that I have always been fond of dormer windows. My first apartment was on the top floor of a 3 storey walk-up and had dormers in all of the rooms. Also, my first house also had a dormer window in the master bedroom. There is something very cosy about a room with slanted ceilings. Aesthetically, a house with dormers has a lower profile in comparison to a two-storey facade, so it looks better next to a 1-storey bungalow - which many mid-century neighbourhoods are filled with. Below are a few selected plans for houses built in the mid-century in Ottawa that have dormer windows: This large design manages to have 5 bedrooms under the slanted second floor roof line, including the large master bedroom. c. 1969, Skyline. ...

If you drive through the streets of the Elmvale Acres and Urbandale Acres neighbourhoods, you will notice a series of strikingly modern houses. These were mass-produced by a handfull of tract builders - some of which built the same plans in various Canadian cities, and even in other Ottawa neighbourhoods. Many of the designs are quite small - especially compare to the standards of new houses. Below are a couple of journal articles on the houses as well as some selected plans. I wonder what happened to the miniature house models? I want them! The option with the 2-sided fireplace is fantastic! This is one of my favourite plans in the area with its strikingly modern facade. At 1061 square feet it is not large, but the vaulted ceilings make the space feel much larger than it really is. Below is a photo of the design showing the roof beams protruding from the front of the house - a great detail. Knight Homes - Cav...