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fritz lake house
single-family| alvin fritz
2018 | Lethbridge, alberta
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Relocating from 7,000 sq. ft. of living space in the 10-acre garden setting of the Norland was an interesting challenge for Alvin Fritz and his wife Karen. Fortuitously, they discovered a mid-century house located on Parkside Drive in the beautiful Henderson Lake neighbourhood when they began searching for their new home. Upon their initial visit, they instantly perceived the potential.
On the east side of the residence, there was a breezeway leading through to the rear yard. Fritz immediately recognized this as an opportunity to expand the footprint of the house, thereby enlarging the kitchen and dining room. Historically, in the 1930s, a bylaw had been created that required an extensive side yard setback. The spacious side yard facilitated floor to ceiling windows that extended around the east corner of the south façade, embracing the ever-changing panorama of Henderson Lake.
The location of the residence is advantageous as perpetual views to the ever-changing visual sonata are always guaranteed. The beautiful new windows to the dining room have an original counterpoint in the pre-existing windows of the living room, also wrapping around the corner of the house to the west, capturing equally exhilarating views to the lake and Nikka Yuko Gardens.
The renovations at 2825 Parkside Drive South have left an indelible impression on the neighbourhood and community.
Absorbing the breezeway into the footprint of the residence required accommodating a garage in the back. This decision was particularly efficacious as it resolved residential parking congestion during the many public events that take place at Henderson Lake Park such as the Dragon Boat Festival and Canada Day festivities.
The selection of triple-glazed windows and the introduction of a dense Rockwool insulation has ensured that none of the associated music penetrates the Fritz’ home and they remain oblivious to all exterior activities.
During their tour of the mid-century, flat-roofed house, Fritz also recognized the potential for a new upper level great room along the entire front of the residence, capturing the views to the lake with equal effectiveness to that of the main floor fenestration, but from a new and higher vantage point. The existing structure framed with Douglas Fir allowed for the support of the new upper residential floor, making the development of this level on obvious choice.
A large Scots pine, centered outside the eastern half of the great room, provides a perfect visual filter both from the interior and exterior. West and south of the pine is a mature Linden which beyond adding a visual filter, provides the proverbial sunshade when in full leaf and a beautiful foil in the winter. The trees are so effective in screening views there is no need for blinds on the windows.
To enhance the great room views of the existing mature tree canopy to the north, a series of openings overlooking the bedroom floor roof were attached.
In order to drop indirect north light down to the main level, the former roof and present upper floor system was opened up along the north wall. This created a beautiful ambiance interconnecting the floors and enhancing the main level. When this floor system was opened up during the construction process, the experience exceeded expectations, even for a seasoned architectural eye.
Privacy was created for the rear of the residence by introducing a unique top rail supported sliding gate which is fully automatic and responds with speed equal to a garage overhead door.
To prevent the need for driveway snow removal, an in-slab glycol loop was introduced which has resulted in a dry and clean driveway in even the most extreme snowfall. Since the relative humidity is driven so low by the cold temperatures in extreme weather, the anticipated moisture never appears and the driveway stays bare, drying quickly as soon as precipitation subsides.
The garage is equipped with an electrical charging station for the Tesla, the best winter driving vehicle available.
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