SOUTH SHORE
South Shore is a contemporary cottage overlooking the sea at Indian Point. FPS were asked to design outdoor living areas for the clients to enjoy on their own or with visitors. We added a hot tub with a wooden surround and bench to tie it seamlessly into the existing deck and to allow easy access. A firepit terrace overlooking the sea has large slab pavers and a corten firebowl. A black aluminum pergola provides shade to the outdoor dining space. Located by the indoor kitchen, its size follows the kitchen bump out on the house. String lights on the pergola and subtle pathway lights will add atmosphere to the summer evening outdoor dinner parties. There are chunky hemlock raised beds to grow herbs and veg beside a stepping stone walkway that runs along the side of the house. Planting beds, gravel surfacing and decorative boulders are loosely located throughout the space to give that Nova Scotian feel. Board form concrete retaining walls take care of the grade changes and create raised planting beds that form a beautiful backdrop to the yard. The planting palette includes low maintenance evergreens, native grasses and colourful perennials to provide year round interest.
4Bay
4Bay is a multi-bayed house sitting on a beautiful swath of land overlooking the Bras d’Or Lakes with a contemporary cascading landscape leading to the lakefront. A suite of landscape materials were chosen to compliment the architecture of the house and landscape lighting provides ambience throughout. A cliff top fire pit terrace has a staggered edge paving design, seating and a Paloform fire pit. Adjacent is a play beach surrounded by a boardwalk and bleacher style seating. The split level cabana terrace has two pools connected by a water wall feature; large slab contemporary pavers; sunloungers and daybeds with a wood design like the house decks, corten and concrete board form planters surround the terrace with rows of grasses. A cascading landscape of steps and terraces connects the cabana pool terrace to the house. Half way up is a fire terrace with lounge furniture. A backdrop of planting beds with evergreens and grasses provide year round interest. Landscape lighting leads the way. A landscaped courtyard separates bays three and four of the house. The landscape was designed to look like the uphill landscape is spilling into the courtyard with a waterfall spilling over boulders. An outdoor shower is tucked away into the hill. Conversational seating allows views over the landscape and lake. Xeriscape themed planting beds provide year round interest and a soft contrast to the pavers. Board form concrete planters and steps make a grand entrance. The FPS team have worked on projects with the architects: RHAD since 2016.
4Bay - Construction: Ongoing.
navy Lane
Navy Lane is a new 9-storey modernist brick and glass building offering 169 deluxe residential suites topped with a roof-terrace play zone in characterful North Central Halifax. The roof top terrace is designed to extend the indoor exercise room, as well as bar and lounge, with direct views and access to an outdoor dining room and barbecue; heated salt water pool with loungers; chill-out areas with fire pits; a Trek-equipped outdoor fitness area; and to make the most of the stunning views - a look-out point with retro tower viewer. Navy Lane’s rooftop is the perfect spot for residents to relax, restore energy, and refresh themselves. Looking out over the expansive views of the city, the space invites you to swim, stretch, retreat, or socialize. These shared spaces are super functional and flowing, contemporary and calm amplifying the sense of home and belonging. First Pen's priority here is to create an exciting outdoor aesthetic that appeals to city lovers – drawing on elements of art, environment, and architecture – with a functionality that enhances the way life happens around buildings. The FPS team has previously worked with Urban Capital in Halifax at Gorsebrook Park and NRTH, designing neighbourhoods that aim to shape, inspire, and integrate the best of indoor and outdoor living.
Navy Lane - Construction: 2024.
1557 HOLLIS STREET
1557 Hollis St is a multi-unit residential and mixed use development in downtown Halifax. It features three buildings with a shared podium. FPS with George Harris Collaborative designed public plazas, rooftop amenity spaces, private terraces and green roofs. A public plaza accessible from Hollis St will feature a grove of trees in giant corten flower pots, raised concrete planters, seating, contemporary paver designs interspersed with granite pavers made from granite reclaimed from the existing site. At the south end, a look out area with views to the harbour, leads to another plaza on the corner of Salter St and Lower Water Street. The two plazas will be connected by a corten clad feature staircase and cascading planters with native trees and planting. This plaza extends into a refreshed part of Lower Water Street. The rooftop amenity terraces are green getaway spaces with extensive views across the harbour, sunloungers, bistro tables, harvest tables under contemporary pergolas and native planting in raised planters. All available flat roof areas will have extensive green roofs. The FPS team have worked on numerous projects with the clients Universal Realty since 2011.
1557 Hollis - Construction: 2024.