08/11/2026
Modern architecture doesn’t have to stand apart to stand out.
A building can have its own identity while still respecting the character of an existing neighbourhood.
For this modern Ottawa infill home, the colours of the surrounding brick and siding helped inform the exterior finishes, while a single-slope roof creates a form that feels more at home in the neighbourhood than a flat roof would.
The roof also creates dynamic, airy spaces on the second floor, showing how a response to the surroundings can create opportunities within the home itself.
Good design doesn’t copy its context. It responds to it.
Next time you see a modern home in an older neighbourhood, look beyond the differences. Notice the subtle details that connect it to its surroundings.
