Ugly Canada 2 (Only architecture, planning and design faux pas) - Page 13

Gresto · #**241** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 2:40 AM**

Wow, I wouldn't trust those balconies over the river, reinforced with what look like 4x4s (maybe 6x6es).

FrAnKs · #**242** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gresto

Wow, I wouldn't trust those balconies over the river, reinforced with what look like 4x4s (maybe 6x6es).

Why do we put balconies everywhere in North America by the way ? It doesn't looks like to be a thing in Europe unless I'm mistaking something...if yes, theirs doesn't seems to be as much visible as ours...

SignalHillHiker · #**243** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 3:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

Why do we put balconies everywhere in North America by the way ? It doesn't looks like to be a thing in Europe unless I'm mistaking something...if yes, theirs doesn't seems to be as much visible as ours...

They still have balconies, they're just better integrated. Usually they don't extend beyond the exterior wall, but are within it. And they also just do Juliette balconies. There are a few here as well:

Prescott Street by com, on Flickr

FrAnKs · #**244** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 3:24 AM**

^ Yeah I definitely prefer that approach !

GlassCity · #**245** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 3:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

^ Yeah I definitely prefer that approach !

It might look better, but I think the vast majority of apartment dwellers wouldn't get places without balconies. From what I hear they're really hard to resell too.

MonkeyRonin · #**246** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 4:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassCity

I'm right there with you. It's hard for me to criticize it considering how hard it is to get developers to build that kind of stuff.

That's exactly why it's so frustrating though. They're so close yet still so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I've always thought that the opposite was true - Euro buildings would not pass NAmerican code, in many cases. Design is another matter.

If that's the case, it would only be because most North American building codes tend to be overly concerned with accessibility and idiot-proofing everything, no doubt owing to our often litigious nature. I wouldn't expect the actual structural integrity necessary for a building to differ much though. Seismic zones aside, that's something that's pretty universal.

But as far as the build quality goes, the concrete and steel construction that's more common over there (for small structures) is still generally better than the typical modern stick build in North America for efficiency, durability, tactile quality, etc.

MonkeyRonin · #**247** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 4:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gresto

Wow, I wouldn't trust those balconies over the river, reinforced with what look like 4x4s (maybe 6x6es).

No reason why a balcony framed with 4x4s wouldn't be structurally sound. I'd probably avoid the one without a railing though.

GlassCity · #**248** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 4:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

That's exactly why it's so frustrating though. They're so close yet still so far.

I have an instinctual aversion not to criticize things that are close to good, for fear of losing them in general. Considering how tough it's been to get developers to adopt this form of development, the last thing I'd want to do is to scare them off and have them revert to cul-de-sac snout houses.

A possible analogy is when you're on 3rd base with a girl and you try to run home. Yeah you could get there, but you could also end up back in the dugout, browsing Realtor for some stucco bungalow without a sidewalk in front of it. Third base is safe, and can always be pushed next time.

Gresto · #**249** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 6:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

No reason why a balcony framed with 4x4s wouldn't be structurally sound. I'd probably avoid the one without a railing though.

Sure, but at that height and over the water like that, I wouldn't take any chances. At the cottage we have a large lakefront balcony made with 2x6s for the joists and deck, and 4x4s and 2x2 balusters for the railing, but our 6x6 posts go straight down into footings and aren't "cantilevered" into the house at a 45° angle. I'm not an architect or builder, but that's the part that looks sketchy.

megadude · #**250** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 1:48 PM**

Don't want to single out the homeowner so I'll just say it's a house for sale in Alberta.

ExcaliburKid · #**251** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 4:17 PM**

Lol
It makes me think of a muppet from Sesame Street

suburbanite · #**252** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 4:21 PM**

It looks angry, and rightfully so.

MolsonExport · #**253** Posted **Jan 4, 2019, 5:38 PM**

It looks like Oscar the Grouch, and it is even uglier than his garbage can.

O-tacular · #**254** Posted **Jan 7, 2019, 11:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadude

Don't want to single out the homeowner so I'll just say it's a house for sale in Alberta.

Reminds me of this guy:

Architype · #**255** Posted **Jan 7, 2019, 11:50 PM**

^ Reminds me of Groucho Marx

O-tacular · #**256** Posted **Jan 8, 2019, 4:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Architype

^ Reminds me of Groucho Marx

I can see that.

Jaws · #**257** Posted **Jan 8, 2019, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadude

Don't want to single out the homeowner so I'll just say it's a house for sale in Alberta.

Well, it's in Fort McMurray. I can tell from the "style" of the house. Fort McMurray is one of the coldest places in Alberta, but inexplicably houses of that era weren't built with garages unlike most other communities.

O-tacular · #**258** Posted **Jan 8, 2019, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

Well, it's in Fort McMurray. I can tell from the "style" of the house. Fort McMurray is one of the coldest places in Alberta, but inexplicably houses of that era weren't built with garages unlike most other communities.

If it's in Fort Crack that adds insult to injury. It's probably worth close to a million dollars.