QUESTION EVERYTHING

To build or to buy, that is the question
 BY ANDREA COX

CALGARY HERALD SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

It’s every homebuyer’s dilemma — to buy an older home in an established neighbourhood, or a new home in a new community.

With myriad options to choose from, narrowing down the choices can be overwhelming.

“I always filter everything through an investment lens,” says Todd Talbot, real estate guru and co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver, a TV show on the W Network. “But I also believe that if it is done well, you can have your cake and eat it, too.”

There are a couple of different ways to look at it, he says.

“The new build has a certain mystique to it — a certain flair,” says Talbot, recalling that the first home that he ever purchased, a condo, was brand new. “I fell in love with the idea.”

Certainly, a new home has a visual and kinesthetic attraction. You can smell the newness, see the perfection of the finishes and know that most likely, you won’t have to do a thing to it for quite a while.

“The big trap is that you see the show suite and you fall in love with the idea of it,” says Talbot. His advice is to be clear about what the base price includes — from landscaping and the basement development to the appliance package.

Clarity surrounding timelines is also of tantamount importance when buying. Will you be selling in five years? Ten years?

You don’t want to detract from the fun of buying a house, but it is necessary to be realistic because, eventually, you are going to sell.

That said, Talbot suggests buyers understand the future development of a new community and the inherent future change in variables like traffic, noise, landscaping and neighbours. “Chances are in five to 10 years, when you go to sell your home, it will be a much different environment.”

Ideally, the goal is to find a neighbourhood that is on the upswing, with the anticipation of capital appreciation.

“I am willing to buy in a neighbourhood that is not necessarily the absolute best, if it has some room to grow. I like neighbourhoods that are dynamic.”

As the saying goes, real estate is all about location, location and location, says Ross Pavl, a Calgary-based realtor with Re/Max.

“You definitely need to consider the area,” he says. “It has to always be in demand. You want to be close to amenities, to transportation, a university and a major work area. All of those factors will be a huge influence when you go to sell.”

When a city surpasses the population threshold of 1 million, the market shifts, he says. “Inner-city real estate will appreciate almost twice as fast as the suburbs,” says Pavl.

The demand is all about lifestyle — being close to the restaurants and theatres, not to mention the walkability factor. But that is also tempered with the fact that Calgary buyers are attracted to the appeal of the new.

“As soon as something is 10 years old, everyone in Calgary considers it old,” he says. “They would rather just buy a piece of land and build something new.”

Of course, price is also a factor. Buying a smaller home closer in and boosting its market appeal through renovations are certainly coveted options, but for many, the higher price takes them farther out into new communities in the suburbs, where prices are more affordable.

When it comes right down to it, real estate investments are all about controlling the variables — the location, amenities and visceral experience of the home, says Talbot. “Not to say that one home or location is better than the other, it’s just all about understanding what you are buying.”

Photo By: Captain Camera

PREDICTING TRENDS

Don't forget to consider a new condo's palette
BY MARILYN WILSON
POSTMEDIA NEWSSEPTEMBER 7, 2013

There are many factors to consider when choosing a new condo. Competing for attention are details concerning location, site orientation, views, size, potential for resale and, often most important, cost. There is, however, another set of factors that buyers may not fully consider. These are the interior design features that come with the condo. Specifically, I want to discuss condo palettes - the hues of walls, fixtures, cabinetry and window treatments.

Let's assume you are not one of those lucky individuals who is starting with a bare-bones unit for which you will choose all spatial arrangements, appliances and finishes. In reality, most new buyers cannot boast of extensive experience in condo design and an absence of budget restrictions. Rather, they rely on pre-designed packages that include specific colour palettes and decor choices.

One way developers attract buyers is through interior design. They offer a variety of samples of flooring, cabinetry and counter-tops. Builders are always thinking forward in the rapid-paced environment of condo development, so predicting potential colour and texture trends when a condo is ready to be sold can help differentiate a builder's offerings from those of the competition.

Not only that, but as condo showrooms come out months - sometimes years - before construction, colour trends are often chosen in advance. For instance, 2014's must-have features and colours have already been established.

Builders usually enlist the expertise of the best interior designers in the country to develop their interior design palettes. Since many of these designers' fees are beyond what most individuals are willing to pay, a buyer can benefit indirectly from a designer's skills by purchasing a condo whose palette is a result of careful consideration.

In general, builders try to supply prospective purchasers with the hottest and most desirable designs, thereby outdoing their competition.

Model suites will give you your first taste of a condo's palette offerings. On show are a spectrum of colours, textures and design features that can be selected at no extra cost. The more you relate to the basic palettes offered, the more you get your money's worth.

If you have trouble picturing yourself living among this decor, it may be time to consider another development with a different designer. This will prevent you from struggling to accommodate someone else's taste. To complicate matters, the builder will offer a wide selection of extra-cost upgrades - flooring, appliances, built-ins, counter-tops and backsplashes - the list goes on and on. If you don't see an upgrade you want, just ask, as most requests can be accommodated.

If you have a clear sense of what works for you, the selection process can be relatively straightforward. Remember that a reputed designer has been working in the background on your behalf, and now the builder will supply an experienced consultant to help with the decision-making.

Despite this, you may also want to enlist the services of your own designer to help organize the palette and options to create your own unique space. If you go this route, make sure to pick a designer with similar tastes to your own. This is best done by viewing examples of their work, something most designers will be happy to arrange.

You may be wondering what the current trends are.

There is movement away from the beige-on-beige theme to more sophisticated taupes, greys, pewters, creams, almonds and cappuccinos. These rich tones add variety and interest to spaces while maintaining the virtue of not being statements in and of themselves.

Textures are evolving rapidly with many designers forgoing classic granite and tile themes in favour of composites and polished concrete set off by smooth or sandblasted glass or stainless-steel backsplashes.

It's important not to forget that seasonal views may have a strong influence on your colour palette. For instance, you may want to opt out of an all-white palette, as the decor will suffer when the city is blanketed in snow. Whatever you choose, try not to go too bold with your palette, as you may get sick of it or suffer during resale.

Otherwise, follow the instincts of your taste, and happy condo hunting.

Marilyn Wilson has been selling real estate for more than 24 years and owns Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties Inc.

SIXTEEN TONS

Are you house rich or house poor?

By Jason Heath  

Financial Post September 17, 2013

According to Statistics Canada, about one-quarter of Canadians are spending too much on housing costs. “Too much” is defined by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as 30% or more of household income. Are you house rich and cash poor?

First off, it’s important to understand what CMHC’s “household income” refers to in order to measure if you are over or under the suggested 30% threshold. They define household income as pre-tax household income, which is a questionable metric due to our tax code.

We have a graduated tax system in Canada where every taxpayer files their own tax return, so there can be a big difference in after-tax income between two households with identical household incomes. A household where two people are earning $50,000 each in Ontario, for example, has after-tax income of about $75,840. A household where one person is earning $100,000 – the same gross income as the $50,000 times 2 household – has only $69,841 of after-tax income. That’s a difference of about 8%, so not immaterial.First off, it’s important to understand what CMHC’s “household income” refers to in order to measure if you are over or under the suggested 30% threshold. They define household income as pre-tax household income, which is a questionable metric due to our tax code.

What are “housing costs”? According to CMHC, these costs include rent and utilities for renters. For homeowners, included are mortgage payments, property taxes, condo fees and utilities.

Several factors are ignored by the 30% rule of thumb. What if a couple has two cars and they drive long distances to work, so transportation costs are higher than a couple with no cars? What if they have kids? They’re not cheap either.

As a financial planner, I can say a common topic of discussion with clients relates to their current house or their next one.

With young couples, they’re often wondering if they can afford their dream home – without breaking the bank. Taking on a bigger house and a bigger mortgage can limit other things which may or may not be important. Retirement savings might need to be scaled back, but what about living for today? Big mortgage payments might make a family think twice about a vacation they might otherwise enjoy (or need).

Not surprisingly, a lot of Baby Boomers are considering a downsize of their home. In some cases, it’s because people have more house than they need once the kids grow up and move out. In others, it’s because they live in an expensive city like Vancouver and a move outside the city can help pad retirement savings.

Either way, young or old, upsize or downsize, housing costs represent a large component of household spending and a large proportion of household net worth. It’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of moving up or cashing out.

One thing I always emphasize is that rules of thumb need to be taken with a grain of salt. They can be quite deceiving and lead people to make imprudent decisions. Just because a bank approves you for a mortgage, it doesn’t mean you’re wise to take it on. And just because CMHC suggests a 30% target for your housing costs as a proportion of your household income, it doesn’t necessarily constitute sound personal financial planning – especially when today’s interest rates and the resulting mortgage payments are artificially low.

AUTUMNAL DUTIES

Clean up your yard this fall with ease
Tips to protect your outdoor space

News Canada

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Homeowners invest hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars in converting their backyards into an extended outdoor living space.

Yet when the autumn chill blows in, many abandon their man-made oasis only to be faced with an overwhelming cleanup in the spring.

It's easy to make light work out of a fall cleanup with the right tools, say gardening enthusiasts.

The Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt battery system, which features over 50 products such as a cordless hedge trimmer and cordless blower, will save time when pruning and prepping your yard for the winter.

The advanced lithium interchangeable batteries give you superior runtime and rapid recharging, eliminating the frustration of running out of power mid-cleanup.

A leaf blower, for example, is an ideal investment for larger properties and their backpack blower makes light work of a gruelling task.

It can easily clear lawns and flower beds of loose leaves and debris -- letting you simply blow leaves to your property line for municipal pickup.

To protect your outdoor space from harsh, destructive winter elements, take a look at these tips from Ryobi:

• Trim plants and shrubs for optimal spring blooms and to avoid spring "bald spots";

• Remove leaves and dead plant material from annual and perennial garden beds;

• Protect perennials from frost heaving by mulching after the ground freezes;

• Cover shrubs that are sensitive to low winter temperatures with burlap;

• Build a simple (or elaborate) compost bin for fall leaves, add fresh grass clippings and cover until spring;

• Remove dead branches from rose and fruit trees;

• Check eavestroughs, siding, railing and pathways for loose screws, shaky handrails and loose pathways and make repairs to eliminate possible slipping hazards and prolonged property damage.

With the proper tools, lawn care doesn't have to be a nightmare.

Winterizing your outdoor space can save you hundreds of dollars next spring.

By protecting plant beds from disease, outdoor furnishing from rot and such structures as air conditioning units and eavestroughs from flooding or ice damming, you're far less likely to be faced with unsightly spring repairs.

A SELLERS' MARKET

Calgary area housing market has best price growth expectation
7% and higher forecast for year-over-year hike in short-term
By Mario Toneguzzi 
Calgary Herald September 20, 2013

CALGARY — Calgary and area is forecast to lead the country in short-term year-over-year price growth in the housing market, according to a report released Friday by the Conference Board of Canada.

The report said prices in the Calgary region are expected to rise by seven per cent or more.

The board’s report said Calgary is now in a sellers’ market.

The board said the seasonally-adjusted annual rate of sales in Calgary of 33,264 in August was up 6.3 per cent from the previous month and a 26.3 per cent hike from a year ago.

The seasonally-adjusted annual rate of listings at 43,704 was up 2.0 per cent from July and increased by 4.8 per cent from August 2012.

The board said the average price in Calgary of $441,806 in August increased by 0.7 per cent from the previous month and by 8.0 per cent from a year ago.

Scott Bollinger, broker for the ComFree Commonsense Network, said the strong housing market in the city is due to a strong outlook for the economy.

“We’ll outperform most of the country, and that creates significant demand for housing. Interest rates are low, and the Bank of Canada is unlikely to move them till 2015,” he said. “Personal incomes are high and growing. Oil prices are strong and stable. Our growth in the 20-44-year-old demographic is second fastest in the world, behind only India. And our cost of living is lower than Toronto or Vancouver.

“That all adds up to this: More Calgarians can afford to buy a home, and more can afford to move up in the market.”

Bollinger said the strong price growth in the Calgary market is due to confidence — people who are confident about their employment and future wages.

“Confidence in housing is a good investment. Confidence in the city’s economic strengths and the strength of the market, in the face perhaps of news from other cities that a housing bubble is on the horizon. Real estate is local, and Calgarians are smart and savvy enough to realize that,” he said.

“I think we can expect this to continue because of those strong economic fundamentals, and because growth in optimistic buyers is outpacing growth in listings. It’s the old supply-and-demand.”

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, year-to-date for just the city, there have been 17,933 MLS sales as of Thursday, up 9.33 per cent from the same period a year ago. The average sale price has jumped by 6.93 per cent to $456,779 but new listings are down 0.8 per cent to 25,943.

“The average price in Calgary is forecast to increase almost six per cent this year to $435,000,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., about the census metropolitan area. “Part of the gains in the average price thus far is due to the high number of luxury homes sold this year. There has also been more pressure on prices as active listings have moved lower as well as days-on-market. Price growth is expected to continue into 2014 but at a more modest pace.”

SIMMONS BUILDING IN THE VILLAGE

EV EXPERIENCE CALGARY

21st Century Simmons is the story of how a historic riverfront landmark in the heart of Calgary's East Village is being transformed into a day and night culinary hotspot and gathering place for the neighbourhood and the city. The Simmons will be rejuvenated by East Village Master Developer CMLC and a consortium of Calgary culinary luminaries – Phil Robertson and Sebastian Sztabzyb of Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters, Aviv Fried of Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, founders of Charcut. In this film, they discuss the unique retail experience they're bringing to the Simmons, which is designed to complement larger-format shopping facilities to be developed by RioCan elsewhere in East Village.

Video: 
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_W_BoeNLU&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSa_W_BoeNLU%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

Source:
http://www.evexperience.com/21st-century-simmons-story-how-historic-riverfront-landmark-h

A FLOOD OF HOPE

Alberta an economic leader despite devastating floods
Real GDP growth forecast to be best in Canada in 2014
By Mario Toneguzzi

Calgary Herald September 17, 2013

CALGARY — Not even the worst floods in memory will be enough to restrain Alberta’s economy this year, according to the latest RBC Economics Provincial Outlook released Tuesday.

The report said post-flood spending will more than compensate for the drop in economic activity related to the natural disaster as RBC is upwardly revising its provincial real GDP growth rate to 3.2 per cent in 2013, up from the 3.0 per cent previously projected due to the anticipated economic boost from post-flood spending.

It will be the second best growth rate in the country this year behind Newfoundland & Labrador at 6.0 per cent.

And RBC is forecasting Alberta growth of 4.1 per cent in 2014 to lead the nation.

“There is no doubt Alberta’s economy took a hit after the floods, however, the province has shown tremendous resiliency, and we expect the economy to spring forward for the remainder of 2013,” said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief economist for RBC. “Post-flood spending will more than make up for the short-lived economic challenges Alberta experienced at the beginning of the summer.”

Ben Brunnen, a Calgary economic consultant, said Alberta is well-poised for growth into 2014.

“Oil and gas revenues are at their highest point since 2008, and industry re-investment is comparable to 2011 when we saw five per cent GDP growth,” he said.

“People have confidence in the Calgary economy. Unemployment is low, the residential real estate market is strong, and we are at the front end of a major commercial construction cycle.”

Adam Legge, president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, is not as optimistic as the RBC report.

“I think Alberta will do moderate growth next year restrained by lack of market access, continued oil price differentials and a shortage of labour. Flood-related spending does hit GDP but should be viewed as a temporary lift that actually will create reduced GDP impacts in the future.”

RBC said that annual GDP statistics will fully capture the additional spending and work required by the reconstruction, repair and replacement that will take place, but will essentially ignore the destruction of or damage to property.

“Even without this perverse lift that the floods will provide to the provincial economy, Alberta continues to demonstrate substantial and sustained economic momentum,” said Wright.

The report is forecasting 1.8 per cent economic growth for Canada this year followed by 2.8 per cent in 2014.

“In addition to the boost from post-flood spending, we expect Alberta’s economy to benefit from stronger capital investment in oilsands now that earlier ‘bitumen bubble’ concerns have largely receded,” said Wright.

Todd Hirsch, chief economist with ATB Financial, said Alberta’s economy is set to pick up a bit of momentum next year after slowing down slightly in 2013.

“Stronger energy prices than a year ago are largely the reason. However, agriculture has quietly but steadily regained a very strong position in Alberta’s economy,” he said.

“Continued inflow of interprovincial migrants in 2014 should also ensure the housing market remains healthy and balanced.”

Photo By: Marc Shandro

LIVIN' RIGHT

Toronto fourth most livable city in world: Economist

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary keep their high rankings on The Economist's list.

By: The Star Staff

Torornto Star August 28, 2013

Three of the top 10 most livable cities in the world are Canadian.

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on the list compiled annually by the Intelligence Unit of the business and political weekly magazine The Economist. That’s also where they stood last year.

Both Toronto and Vancouver won perfect 100-point scores for stability, healthcare and education. The 100-point score for infrastructure The Economist gave Melbourne and Vienna propelled them to first and second place on the list.

Melbourne has been the top city on the livability list since 2011, when it squeezed out Vancouver. Toronto and Calgary have traditionally been in the top five as well.

The Economist bases its ratings of 140 cities on 30 factors across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

Seven of the top 10 cities are in Canada and Australia, which the Intelligence Unit points out reflects them being mid-sized cities in wealthier countries with relatively low population density and good healthcare and education.

The other cities on the top 10 list, from fifth through ninth, are Adelaide, Sydney, Helsinki and Perth.

Half of the bottom 10 cities are in Africa: Douala, Cameroon; Tripoli, Libya; Algiers, Algeria; Harare, Zimbabwe and Lagos, Nigeria.

Syria’s capital of Damascus ranks dead last because of the civil war tearing apart the country. Damascus also registered the biggest decline in livability over the last five years, by more than 20 per cent.

The livability list also highlights the cities with the most improved scores over the last five years. Bogota, Colombia, improving the most: by 7.9 per cent since 2008, because of an end to violence created by the drug trade and guerrilla activity.

Top ten cities (overall score)

Melbourne, Australia 97.5

Vienna, Austria 97.4

Vancouver, Canada 97.3

Toronto, Canada 97.2

Calgary, Canada 96.6

Adelaide, Australia 96.6

Sydney, Australia 96.1

Helsinki, Finland 96.0

Perth, Australia 95.9

Auckland, New Zealand 95.7

Photo by: stephenk1977

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Eichler homes serve as video screens in Granada Hills art project

By Lisa Boone
Los Angeles Times September 16, 2013

"I think a lot about how our ideas are influenced by our environments," said artist Nate Page, who will screen nine short videos on the front of Eichler homes in the Balboa Highlands tract of Granada Hills on Thursday. "The psychological phenomenon of how we idealize modern living. These homes are perfect surfaces to screen something."

For a project titled "California Living," Page filmed 15-minute clips of homeowners who live in the neighborhood. The videos will show the interiors, sometimes with inhabitants moving about, as if passersby were looking into the homes through a window.

"I just asked the homeowners to be as creative as they want in representing their lifestyle inside the homes," Page said. "Or they could just do nothing. It's up to them. "

The videos will be staggered throughout the neighborhood, and which houses are serving as video screens will not to be obvious, said Page, who intended to create an experience in which viewers imagine the lives of the people behind the facades.

"I want people to project their own ideas about what the modern California lifestyle is like," Page said. "I was thinking a lot about isolation and modern living in California. People still need to create boundaries when they have that much openness."

Page said he researched a variety of architectural styles in which to explore the issues of isolation and openness, ultimately settling on Eichler because of the clear paradox between front and back.

"California Living" will screen from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday on select houses on Darla Avenue, Lisette Street, Nanette Street and Jimeno Avenue, off Balboa Boulevard.

The event is part of the Machine Project Field Guide to L.A. Architecture, part of the Getty initiative Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A.

BALLOONING SALES

Calgary and Vancouver lead Canadian housing market boom
August MLS sales balloon

By Mario Toneguzzi 

Calgary Herald September 16, 2013

CALGARY — Strong sales in Calgary and Vancouver led to a Canadian housing market boom in August as MLS transactions across the country were up 11.1 per cent compared with a year ago, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

In releasing its national data on Monday, CREA said sales in Vancouver were up 53.1 per cent from last year to 2,557 while Calgary transactions rose by 28.8 per cent to 2,830.
In Canada, total MLS sales in August were 40,350.

“The year 2013 has been a very strong year for the Calgary real estate market,” said Crystal Tost, a realtor with RE/MAX Realty Professionals in Calgary. “Earlier in the year we saw the market pick up as we transitioned into a sellers’ market as a direct result of low inventory levels. The market maintained strong with low inventory right through to spring. The summer months are traditionally a bit slower than spring months, but not for 2013. The market continued on with record sales without rest as inventory levels continued a downward motion into summer months.

“There is no doubt that the flood has greatly affected the housing market in Calgary not just for sales. Workers that have flocked to the city to aid in Calgary’s rebuilding and displaced people looking for temporary housing have exhausted the inventory in the rental market and in turn we are seeing rising rental prices. The raised rental market is making it sense for some first-time buyers to enter into the market. Bank interest rates are also on the rise. We are seeing many buyers out there with great interest rate holds nearing expiration so some of those buyers will be on a time crunch to save some money in interest.”

In August, Calgary had the highest growth year-over-year in the MLS Home Price Index, which tracks typical sales in nine major Canadian centres. Calgary prices rose by 7.39 per cent compared to the national aggregate of 2.92 per cent.

As for average prices, Calgary was once again a leader with an 8.1 per cent annual hike to $432,576, while Canada saw an 8.1 per cent hike as well to $378,369.

Ann-Marie Lurie, chief economist with the Calgary Real Estate Board, said the past two months have seen sales activity in the city shoot up higher than long-term trends.

“Both in July and August, those numbers were a little stronger. Part of that I think is due to the fact of the floods (in June),” said Lurie. “Because of that if you look at June we were running really in line with long-term trends — just above it. And then floods hit and in July and August we saw that activity increase. And some of that is from that demand being pulled forward.”
But other factors have also come into play in the local residential real estate market, she said, with stronger than expected migration this year.

“We still continue to have employment growth. The overall economic situation has done fairly well,” said Lurie. “That’s all the backdrop behind it as well. And wages have been increasing.”

There’s also the added possibility of increasing mortgage rates causing people to get into home ownership sooner.

In August, Alberta saw MLS sales increase by 17.8 per cent from last year to 6,124 while the average price rose by 7.1 per cent to $381,642.

On Monday, CREA also released its forecast for the rest of this year and 2014. It said Alberta MLS sales would grow by 6.2 per cent this year, the best in the country, to 64,100 and by another 2.3 per cent in 2014 to 65,600.

In Canada, sales are expected to drop by 1.0 per cent this year to 449,900 but expand by 3.5 per cent next year to $465,600.

The average sale price in Alberta is expected to rise by 4.8 per cent this year to $380,500, the second best growth rate in the country behind Newfoundland’s 6.1 per cent. Alberta is then forecast to lead the country in 2014 with 3.4 per cent growth to $393,300.

Canadian average sale prices are forecast to grow by 3.6 per cent this year to $376,300 and by another 1.7 per cent in 2014 to $382,800.

“Sales activity dropped sharply around this time last year in the wake of tightened mortgage rules and has improved since then, so a sizable year-over-year increase this August was expected,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s chief economist, about the national August sales data.

“Buyers who put off purchase decisions or who were otherwise sidelined by tighter mortgage rules and lending guidelines implemented last year were anticipated to return to the housing market. That said, the upward trend and levels for activity in recent months has been steeper than expected, but that may not last.


“Recent increases to fixed mortgage rates caused sales to be pulled forward as buyers with pre-approved financing at lower rates jumped into the market sooner than they might have otherwise. That pool of homebuyers has largely evaporated so demand may soften over the fourth quarter. The outsized year-over-year gains may persist, however, due to weak sales toward the end of last year.”

HIGH FIVE, DOWN LOW

Five ways to take your basement from grotto to glorious 

By MATTHEW HAGUE

The Globe and Mail September 4, 2013

There’s something undeniably odious about the word basement. It unfailingly conjures up a spine-shivering image of something drafty, claustrophobic and dark. But subterranean living spaces offer an important opportunity to accommodate Canada’s shifting housing needs. They work well as in-law suites for downsizers, income rentals for empty nesters or extra sleeping quarters for families who’ve outgrown their current house but can’t afford a larger one in the country’s ever inflating real estate market. And, with the right eye for aesthetics, a basement apartment can be bright, airy and beautiful. It just takes the right lighting, wall finishes and window wells. Here, five tips from top design professionals on how to turn an underground grotto into something glorious.

Oh, wells

According to award-winning Toronto-based architect Paul Raff, the best way to create a basement that doesn’t resemble a cave, aside from ensuring the space is well insulated and therefore not dank, is to bring in adequate light and afford views of something other than a “grey and horrible, corrugated steel window well.” When building a house from the ground up (and where space allows), he tries to “manipulate” the landscape into a garden-covered embankment that peels away the earth from the foundation walls. Depending on its depth, the incline can allow for larger than average windows that look out to a beautiful bit of greenery.

In space-cramped urban lots or for renovations where regarding the grass isn’t an option, simply switching up the material of the window well can significantly improve the view. Architect Robert Kastelic, principal of the design firm AKB, suggests textured concrete, stacked stone or a sleek metal plate. In a recent project in downtown Toronto, architect Nolan Natale, principal of Natale and Scott Architects, lined the window wells with mirrors to help reflect extra light into the subterranean bedrooms.

Step class

Like window wells, stairs are an important tool for bringing light down below. When industrial and architectural designers Timothy Mitanidis and Claudia Bader, co-founders of Toronto’s Creative Union Network, were renovating their 130-year-old Victorian semi to include a basement rental unit, they eschewed the typically Dickensian exterior staircase (the type that’s about 15 centimetres wide, made of cracking concrete and featuring a rusty old handrail). Instead, they terraced a series of one to 1 1/2 metre wide stonewalls that step gracefully from the backyard to the basement’s door. The generous landscaping not only creates a mini patio for the tenants where they can sit out in the summer, but allows for a bigger entryway that’s fully glazed and floods the unit with light. “It just helps make the space more livable,” Mitanidis said.

For interior stairs, both Raff and Kastelic suggest that wider (one to 1 1/2 metres, say) is better because it creates a more welcoming feel and allows for light to spill down from the main floor, especially if there is a window or skylight nearby.

Artificial intelligence

Bjarne Pedersen, a lighting design consultant who teaches at Toronto’s Ryerson University, notes that while natural light is the best way to make a basement more comfortable, there are clever ways to use artificial luminescence to simulate sunshine. One is to rim the ceiling with recessed, LED cove lights that wash the walls in an even glow. “Well-lit walls simply make a room feel larger,” he explains, especially if the ambient illumination is used alongside thoughtfully placed spot and task lighting. For the top tier radiance, Pedersen recommends checking the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) before purchasing any fixtures. The closer the CRI is to 100, the more natural the light will appear.

For the ultimate sun simulator, though, Pedersen suggests Parans, a system where sensors are attached to the outside of a house to collect and transmit, through fibre optic cables to an indoor ceiling panel, the exact quality of daylight at any given time – be it overcast, slightly cloudy or full-on blazing.

Photo finishes

Oftentimes homeowners don’t put a lot of thought into the materials they use to finish the basement (especially, let’s face it, if the space is intended as a suite for the in-laws, a nanny or a tenant). But extra care while selecting flooring tiles, countertops or wall paints can make an underground living area feel less foreboding and more fabulous. Although Kastelic prefers a subdued palette for the majority of his above-ground projects, with basements he “often uses pops of colour to make them feel brighter.” It’s an approach that Mitanidis and Bader have also taken: The apartment under their house is predominantly white – to make the place feel larger – but has punchy hues such as a Ferrari-red kitchen and thoughtful touches, like cabinetry and millwork made from reclaimed wood that adds a sense of warmth and history.
Pedersen also suggests that picking the right finishes can help improve a lighting concept. “Some ceiling paints are 90 per cent reflective,” he points out, “so the light just bounces around and around and around the room,” which helps reinforce a sense of openness.

Ceiling the deal


Raff mentions, it was “only two or three generations ago” that many basements were not only unfinished, but had dirt floors and seven-foot ceilings – the lasting effect of which is that many people still think of what lies down below as little more than a dank crawl space. To help “change the psychology” of this, Raff suggests that in new homes, the basements should have ceilings a foot or more taller than the standard eight-foot height. That way, the basement actually has a sense of expansive luxury. “It makes an enormous difference,” notes Raff, referring to a project he recently completed where the basement guest suite feels every bit as high-end and capacious as a five-star hotel room.

BURN, BURN, BURN

Burnt Is The New Black: Why Charred Wood Is So Hot Right Now

By Luke Barley

Architizer

Photos via IC4U.org

The process is fairly simple. Burn the planks on both sides to the desired amount of char. The carbon exterior will release the moisture inside the board as gas and steam. (Think of it as turning the wood’s surface into a chemical compound similar to the pure carbon a diamond.) After cooling the boards, brush and wash them to your aesthetic liking—the amount of char cleaned off changes the look of the wood. Finally, you can seal the board with a natural oil of your choice, or leave it unvarnished.

This method of burning the surface of wood building materials began in Japan during the 1700s. Since Japanese builders traditionally used cedar, as well as cypress, the process is called shou sugi ban, or “burnt cedar.” In more recent years, Japanese have opted for plastic and other materials for their buildings, causing the shou sugi ban to wane.

Wabi House, Sebastian Mariscal Studio, Carlsbad, US

Shou sugi ban is an organic process allowing for variation. Different values are attainable as exemplified by the floor and fence of this home.

But as passive solar and LEED certification become mainstream architectural concerns, architects are continuing to search for environmentally sound techniques to incorporate into their practices. Using charred wood for construction is a viable eco-friendly option, particularly since this completely natural manufacturing process requires only fire and wood; the harsh chemicals used in pressure-treated lumber are eliminated.

Shou sugi ban also yields an extremely durable building material. Wood treated with fire is paradoxically fire resistant, as well as resistant to insects. The material is also durable due to its low reactivity and is rated to last 80 years.

Shou Sugi Ban, BYTR Architecten, Maarn, Netherlands

Sunlight changes the visual appearance of this house by BYTER Architecten from black to silver white

Aesthetically the shou sugi ban can look like a dark stain or have a surface texture similar to alligator skin. The finish depends on the extent of the exposure to fire, as well as the amount of char cleaned off after the process. Houses with exterior trim done with the method appear to shimmer, and change from silver to black depending on sunlight.

Sands Point Renovation, Jon Dreyfous, Sand Point, US

The renovation of this home replaced the decaying exterior with shou sugi ban. Integrating the home into the surrounding woods and giving it a durable facade.

The downside of using shou sugi ban is the amount of labor needed to produce usable wood. There is also a dearth of purveyors, an example of a lumber mill offering shou sugi ban products is Delta Millworks in Austin, Texas. Finding a contractor well-versed in the use of the material is also challenging. If installing yourself allow extra for mistakes and a learning curve.

The challenges of using shou sugi ban should not deter its use for building. Integrating it into house designs gives not only interesting aesthetic possibilities, but environmental and structural benefits as well.

Source: http://www.architizer.com/blog/burnt-is-the-new-black/

SNAKES, SPIDERS & FIGS

15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality 
A breath of fresh air
By Julie Knapp
mnn.com

In the late '80s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lucky for us the plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Other studies have since been published in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science further proving the science. 

Aloe (Aloe vera)

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you’ll have a hard time killing this resilient plant. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.

Gerber daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

This bright, flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning. It’s also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks. Add one to your laundry room or bedroom — presuming you can give it lots of light.

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)

Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil’s ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)

Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)

The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room; the blooms also help filter out benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics and detergent. This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you’ll need to find a spot near an open window with direct sunlight.

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

A ficus in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Caring for a ficus can be tricky, but once you get the watering and light conditions right, they will last a long time.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)

Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation. Because azaleas do best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, they’re a good option for improving indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.

English ivy (Hedera helix)

A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

Combat pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii grows inside easily, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum 'Deborah')

This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Also known as the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. They’re also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.

Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)

This climbing vine plant isn’t a good option if you have kids or pets — it's toxic when eaten, but it's a workhorse for removing all kinds of VOCs. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA’s list for removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene.