 One for the plumbers out there. Two water lines cut off without being capped, right at face level just ready for the new homeowners to turn that valve and get a blast of hot water. Same house, not four feet away is this drain line with an upside down clean out fitting that has been leaking for some time and the "handyman’s friend", duct tape sealing off an opening. 
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 Ah shutters. If there is one architectural element that looks out of place it's a poorly proportioned or executed shutter.
These babies were originally intended to actually open and close so you must make sure the size and placement mimics that function and makes visual sense. These are too tall, too skinny, too few, the wrong shape and they are upside down. Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.  Another senseless cover up.
In the photo you can see how the texture of the brick is about to be covered over by a flat and lifeless layer of styrofoam and stucco as the wall to the right already has. Dull, bland, ugly and boring. Please, all old building owners: when you contemplate leaving those wonderful brick arches exposed please take it one step further and leave all the brick exposed. Stucco is not as attractive, durable or architecturally correct as what you already have! Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.  There has been a trend for the past decade or two to try and mimic the look of stone at a better price point than stone. It rarely works.
This retaining wall system is made up of precast concrete blocks that are intended to look like six individual "stones" but the modular joints are a dead giveaway. The "stacked marshmallow" appearance of this wall is absurd! A simple poured in place concrete wall that is honest about what it is would be much more pleasing. The fake stone veneer on the building itself isn't much better...what would be wrong with a nice brick? Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.  Our spring newsletter is in the mail and better yet, it is online! News items include:
Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.  The Ontario Building Code requires wood to be a minimum 6 inches from the ground, to prevent rot. This addition was completed less than a year ago (not by us!), there is less than 2 inches of clearance.
Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.  This structure is only 17 years old, but some improper detailing around windows, doors and flashings led to moisture migrating under the stucco. Moisture management is critical with stucco as there is no air space to allow the structure to dry. We have to cut out as much of the damage as possible and it would appear to be a good thing this wasn't left for a few more years.    Just a wonderful old home I pass by each time I get my motorcycle serviced in New Hamburg.
There are some beautiful architectural details, such as the single gable with lancet windows and the decorative brick corner quoins. The same details are still fashionable today and could be used to add personality to a new build. Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations. |
Rory McDonnellI am a licensed carpenter, 
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