If you’re in the market for a renovation, you need to do your research and a great place to start is the 2022 Reno Tour presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA).
The projects on this year’s tour showcase extensive renovation and addition projects from three of Ottawa’s most respected renovation companies — Amsted Design-Build, Lagois Design-Build-Renovate and RND Construction.
Best of all? You don’t even have to leave your home to tour them.
Now in its eighth year, the Reno Tour is a virtual one this year, as it has been since the pandemic forced a pivot from in-person visits to see the projects. But thanks to the immersive 3D imaging work of Point3D Commercial Imaging, you can virtually walk through each of these renovations at your own pace, direction, convenience and as frequently as you wish, checking out bonus elements such as before photos and multimedia tags with more information. You can also reach out directly to each project’s renovator.
“It’s a chance for people to peek into basically what’s a home magazine,” says Amsted’s Stephanie Fahey. “Everybody loves the TV shows and loves to read the magazines, and this can feel a little more up-close-and-personal for projects that are actually happening in your neighbourhood.
“I think people just have a genuine curiosity about what other people are doing in their homes. But it also gives them a chance to see a renovator’s work more up close and personal.”
GOHBA’s executive director, Jason Burggraaf, says the virtual format opens the tour to as large an audience as possible. “This unique format for Reno Tour gives everyone who’s thinking about renovating an opportunity to explore real-life reno projects from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”
All of the participating companies are RenoMark members, which means they must meet and adhere to strict eligibility requirements to better protect the homeowner.
Amsted: Let’s get moody
Amsted’s project is a dramatic renovation and addition to a century home that completely reimagines the main floor and adds some serious wow factor.
There are unique solutions for creating an open-concept layout that successfully combines the kitchen, dining room and family room, while keeping the spaces distinct. Highlights include two islands, barnboard-clad ceiling beams, beautiful layers of lighting, seamless blending of original and new flooring and an intriguing use of colour.
“It’s a beautiful project. It’s honestly one of my favourites,” says Fahey. “There’s something so sophisticated but cosy and intimate.” The project is also a finalist in the upcoming Ottawa Housing Design Awards, which will be announced Oct. 15.
Lagois: Gather around
Lagois’ project shows the dramatic transformation of a home for a couple who loves to entertain but had a closed-off kitchen. A large addition was added to the back, the kitchen and dining room were merged, and the stairs were relocated to increase functionality. Expansive windows let in nature and light and allow the homeowners to enjoy their mature gardens, while the new layout encourages family gathering.
“Accommodating large family gatherings with a space to connect was important to our clients,” says Lagois president Jacob Kirst. “The solution was to create an addition with expansive windows overlooking the rear yard, while taking advantage of the natural light to flood into the existing home, creating an energizing environment to relax, entertain and live.”
RND: No better referral
In an example of the value of Reno Tour, a past tour visitor went on to become a client for RND, resulting in this kitchen renovation and addition that showcases a strong indoor-outdoor connection and includes an oversized peninsula with an eat-in bar and lots of food prep areas and storage.
Adding a personal touch is the milled planks from a beloved black walnut tree lost in the 2019 tornado, which were incorporated into the kitchen’s open shelves and decorative band on the range hood.
“We usually encourage our homeowners to incorporate some feature that is unique to their needs or experiences,” notes RND owner Roy Nandram, who points visitors to both the quality of the finishes and the home’s energy-efficient features — a hallmark of RND projects.
The kitchen is a finalist in the Housing Design Awards.
Taking the 2022 Reno Tour
The tour can be accessed at renotour.ca and will remain active over the next year. You can also see previous Reno Tour projects and take a tour of Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s two ReStore locations. (The tour is a fundraiser for the charity.)
