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Qualicum!

No look at mid-century modern housing in Ottawa could be complete without highlighting Qualicum. This area has some of the most unique houses of the mid-century period, as well as a hearty collection of modern tract houses.

While the entire area is often referred to as Qualicum, there are actually distinct neighbourhoods within the area including Bruce Farm to the west and Graham Park to the east.

The area is a mixture of custom-designed houses as well as tract houses built by Teron, Minto and Campeau.

I will begin right in the middle of the area - Qualicum proper - which has quite a few custom houses, most of which were built by Teron. 

All photo images in this post are courtesy of Google Street View.

A unique roof line and decorative brick screen wall characterize this beauty.

The pagoda roof peaking out over the flat roof hints at a unique floor plan for this house.

The ribbon of windows under the roof line are thoroughly modern.

The exposed beams are reminiscent of California modern architecture. The side elevation seen below is just as fantastic!


A modern take on classical arches.

This is probably the most unique house in the area. The facade cannot be seen clearly from the street, but this view shows the beautiful shape of the house. Notice the tree in the central courtyard.

What a great pop-out roof line!

Graham Creek meanders through the area and bisects some of the rear yards of the houses in the area - allowing the opportunity to build these picturesque foot bridges.

This house appears to be the Oxford design, which Teron also built elsewhere in the area, as well as in Lynwood Village (Bell's Corners).


This square house is most-likely the B4 design which was also built in Beaverbrook - and is one of my all-time favourite plans.


One of a handful of 1.5 storey houses in Qualicum. Similar designs were built in Beaverbrook. I like the use of different materials on the facade, and the windows that wrap around the corner of the house.

These designs feature a curious layout with very large bedrooms on the second floor.


These houses above a below are very similar to those found in Beaverbrook.


Some more examples of similar houses that were also built in Beaverbrook. They are are a pared-down version of the traditional centre-hall plan.

This is one of my favourite facades in Qualicum. The main floor is almost entirely glass. The window on the left even wraps around the corner!

The modern mansard roof was used on many Teron-built houses in both Qualicum and Beaverbrook.

The mansard roofs by Teron were predominantly cedar shingle.

Even some of the Minto houses in Qualicum have a modern interpretation of the mansard roof. The large picture windows and flat lower roof also lend a modern look.

The Dorset plan was a Canadian Housing Design Council award winner.



Another award-wining Minto design.


A Minto design with traditional lines, but hints at modernism with the large windows on either side of the front door. The oversized shutters are common on Minto houses from this era.
***
 The western edge of the area was marketed as Bruce Farm by Minto. This area has impressive houses on large lots. Some of these plans were also built elsewhere in the area (Graham Park) and also in Skyline.






I consider the plans above and below to be fusions of traditional and modern design in terms of their facades.



***

The eastern part of the area is called Graham Park. Below is Teron's original marketing brochure for the neighbourhood.


Is is just me, or is the man totally creepy?!











Some of the above plans were also built in Guildwood Estates and in Lynwood Village. 

 And here is what the houses look like:



Many of the side-split plans have a very horizontal look, with the top floor designed to look as if it is not very tall.


Some great modern silhouettes in Graham Park.


Minto also built in Graham Park over many years. There are some of their older (and smaller) plans, as well as some larger ones.





A third Canadian Housing Design Council award-wining plan can be found in the area. (The actual house submitted for the award is in Crystal Beach).


















***

There is a sprinkling of Campeau houses throughout the entire area. Below are 3 of the plans that were built.







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Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 8, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    Great blend of pictures, floor plans and 1960s advertisements

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donnelly-ChandDecember 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Hello,
    I bought the model home for Teron homes in Beaverbrook. The house was built in 1967 and I believe it is the B4 model. California design bungalow. The basement had a wall of different brick for buyers to chose. You asked in your blog if the atrium is vaulted and this model it is vaulted rectangle to 6 large skylights. This house is unique and beautiful with floor to ceiling windows on all 4 corners of the house. The house will be listed to sell this Spring 2016. I enjoy your blog. Excellent information.

    ReplyDelete

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