Joel Loblaw

Up and Coming

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:02:58 +0000

With the arrival of spring, our thoughts have turned to some exciting projects planned for the upcoming season. First off is a 2-acre Hamptons property that we’re designing in collaboration with OMAS (a full-service architectural firm based in New York and Toronto). The yard will include an orchard, grand terrace, sculpted hedges and mass plantings – all strategically placed to complement the structural renovations by OMAS. In the Forest Hill district of Toronto, we’re designing a backyard complete with a tiered deck and Corten steel walls (which provide a visual counterpoint to the existing home). Markham is the site of another assignment that recalls the distinct beauty of the Muskoka region. Plans for the large backyard include a raised patio, a sunken patio, a secluded firepit area and enhancements to the existing pool patio. For updates on these and other great projects, keep visiting our News section at joelloblaw.com.

All According to Plan

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:44:37 +0000

[Show as slideshow]

When it came time to design the new structure for our Workman’s Creek property, we turned to OMAS (a full-service architecture firm with offices in New York City and Toronto). After listening to a long litany of requests, they rendered a design for a new “Land House” that matched our needs exactly. The interior “Living Pavilion” – highlighted by the convergence of two gables to create a uniquely modern aesthetic – provides simultaneous views southwest across the wetlands to the pond and northeast to the winding ravine. The dogtrot of the house creates a literal bridge between the east and west sides of the clearing, all the while locking the structure to a single Larch tree standing in the open expanse. Now that the plan is in place, we can’t wait to break ground!

The Bunkie

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:15:11 +0000

[Show as slideshow]

It started with our bunkie – a Scandanavian-inspired shelter characterized by simple design and functionality. With a limited budget, we constructed the 144-square-foot building with reclaimed doors and windows (including the transom window that provides the ideal amount of light during the day). We used barn board clad for the exterior and Iuoan plywood inside to give the bunkie a distinctive rustic feel to match the surrounding landscape. Later, we fashioned a sheltered deck and benches. To create a year-round escape, we added a wood-burning stove capable of heating the interior during the coldest months.

What’s up next for the Workman’s Creek property? Having gained a true feeling for the land (after building on the site), we’re planning to design a new home that is both bold and strong – yet blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness.

How Do You Work?

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:55:22 +0000

At Joel Loblaw, we enjoy a challenge. So when the Interior Design Show asked us to create a landscape piece to tie together the architectural structures of blackLAB architects, DUBBLEDAM Architecture + Design, Igloodgn and Samare Studio, we jumped at the chance. Our project received amazing feedback – and we had a lot of fun working with all the talented people in the How Do You Work? section. If you weren’t able to attend the show, no need to worry. We have some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Sneak Peek

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:03:06 +0000

With the Interior Design Show only a day away, we decided to give you a sneak peek into the inner workings of Joel Loblaw as we set up our exhibit. To see the finished design, visit us at the “How Do You Work?” section of the IDS from January 24 to 27, 2013.

Our Newest Addition

admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:54:00 +0000

When Joel Loblaw was launched less than a year ago, we hoped for a year of continued growth. Little did we know that we would be inundated with so many great new projects. In fact, we’re so busy that we’ve recently hired Celeste Toogood. She is a graduate of Ryerson’s Landscape Design program and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from NSCAD University. Her extensive experience designing landscapes and managing projects through to completion adds another level of depth to the team at Joel Loblaw. To meet Celeste – and the rest of the Joel Loblaw crew – visit us at the Interior Design Show in Toronto from January 24 to 27, 2013.

Moving On Up

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:47:24 +0000

To accommodate Joel Loblaw’s continued growth, we’ve moved to a new office space at 9 Davies Avenue, Suite 311, in Toronto. We’ll be sharing this space with our friend Will Hudson of Hudson Architecture. The past year was a great one for Joel Loblaw – and 2013 is shaping up to be even better. We have lots of people to thank for our success, but we’d like to single out our wonderful clients, suppliers and employees. We’d also like to thank AGATHOM Co. and Brian O’Brian of Omas44 for offering to share their office space with us when we were just starting out – we look forward to working with them on many projects in the future. We hope you’ll continue to check out this page to find out what we’re up to. All the best for 2013.

The Interior Design Show Feature Exhibit

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:04:19 +0000

The Interior Design Show (IDS) is the largest contemporary design fair in Canada with the most influential architects and designers in attendance. For the upcoming show in 2013, the IDS asked a few innovative firms to display their work in a “feature exhibits” area. After only one year in business, Joel Loblaw has been given a rare opportunity to participate in the “How Do You Work?” section. Working in collaboration with blackLAB architects, DUBBLEDAM Architecture + Design, Igloodgn and Samare Studio, Joel will be responsible for creating a landscape component that complements all the architectural structures on display. To see Joel’s inspirational take, visit the IDS from January 24 to 27, 2013.

A Smashing Success

admin — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:38:32 +0000

If the sheer number of empty wine bottles is any indication, the “One-Year Celebration” for Joel Loblaw was a smashing success. Catered by renowned chef Jamie Kennedy, this event brought together friends and coworkers at our office space (shared with AGATHOM Co. and omas). To get on our preferred guest list for next year’s party, just contact us at joel@joelloblaw.com. Great wine, food and people – what more could you want?

Laboratory

admin — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 15:30:47 +0000

Eight years ago we purchased a ten-acre parcel of untouched land just outside of the town of Meaford (in Grey County). Adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment, the property borders the Beaver River Valley and the Big Head Valley. The land is a mix of scrub, wetland and hardwood. Two seasonal creeks join forces in the middle of the property to form Workman’s Creek.

We started out by camping on the property. During our second summer, we built a small bunkie – our home away from home – that was just big enough to keep us dry and warm. In the years since, we have added a road, a small pond and a lot number – finally putting us on the map.

In the coming years, Workman’s Creek will become a kind of laboratory for landscape design and architecture. We see it as a meeting place for like-minded enthusiasts and, of course, a place to try new plantings and lots of other experiments.

We hope you’ll tune into this channel from time to time to see it all happen.