The small footprint of the house (18x21) left plenty of room within the 3000 ft 2 site for a garden. Much of the back yard had been used for years as a gas station parking lot. Instead of disturbing the existing grade we imported soil and constructed raised beds. Inert con- struction debris (plaster and brick masonry) was incorporated into a garden plan which today supports flowering shrubs, perennials and a kitchen garden. Despite going over budget and some grum- blings over a lack of living space, the experi- ence was a positive one and the project a success. It demonstrates how much more can be achieved by pooling resources and sharing responsibilities. It is an example of a small scale values-based alternative to conventional home ownership where do-it-yourself meets working in community. c
A deal was struck. Peter and Carolyn agreed to purchase a property, pay legal and admin- istrative costs, and fund a building renovation for up to one year. In exchange, Mary and I offered our time and building skills for a year of weekends as well as project management on the parts we weren’t able to do ourselves. Cash meets sweat equity. It was agreed in writing that once the renovation was com- plete, all costs, including the purchase price and renovations, would be split fifty-fifty, and Peter and Carolyn would mortgage Mary and I for our half. The property would be co-owned and co-managed. We found a little house in Halifax’s north end, derelict, abandoned and listed as a ‘contractor’s special’. The original foundation and frame of the circa 1910 house was kept, and the interior was fully stripped. Refuse materials were sorted and recycled at a construction debris depot. A pitched roof was added to the existing flat roof to make a third storey without disrupt- ing the strong horizontal soffit lines of the streetscape. The house was refitted with insulation, new windows and mechanical sys- tems, bringing it to a relatively high standard of energy efficiency. The lower floor is a bachelor apartment for Peter and Carolyn. It is small for a couple (375 ft 2 ), but they own a second house in rural Nova Scotia where they go on weekends and to which they will eventually retire, so it meets their present needs. Above is a one bedroom apartment (750 ft 2 ) over two sto- reys. In both units every measure was taken to maximize the use of space. Ample daylight breathes much life to the rooms and keeps things from feeling too cramped. A badly built back addition was removed except for the parts that could be reconfigured into deck space, a privacy screen and bicycle barn (our common house!).
Scott Donovan stud- ied architecture in Halifax and practices housing design there.
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on |site 13
housing | houses | house
on |site 13
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