Restoration on Georgian Bay - Ballentine Construction

With David Ballentine

Welcome to Episode 2 of Rewind Design Season 2! I am beyond excited to share this episode with all the cottage lovers out there. I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with David Ballentine, owner of Ballentine Construction, all about cottage design, restoration + his unique approach to building on the Bay. David is a lifelong cottager in Pointe au Baril, and a longtime Parry Sound resident. David appreciates the magic of cottage history and incorporates this nostalgic feeling in his designs and builds.

Ballentine Construction provides renovation, construction and maintenance services throughout Pointe au Baril and Georgian Bay. They are known for their high quality craftsmanship, their client relationships as well as their sympathetic approach to cottage restoration, with David claiming they “save everything” they possibly can to be re-purposed. They can lovingly renovate a generations-old cottage, maintaining its ambience while subtly incorporating modern touches to make it more comfortable, as well as more cost and energy efficient. These are important building practices that respect our history, and also help to protect out environment.

You can find their work at ballentineconstruction.com

In this week’s episode we discuss:

Challenges of building on island properties
Historic Restoration - what is possible to restore and repurpose
Environmental impact of cottages + how we can design and build with less impact

Listen to our exciting interview below!

Testament to History

David appreciates the magic of cottage history and incorporates this nostalgic feeling in his designs and classic builds.

Dave Answers my Questions!

Can you tell me about your company (Ballentine Construction) and what your driving focus is?

Design that fits our area which includes new modern designs and vintage restoration, quality workmanship. Repurposing, reclaiming, restoring.

How long have you been doing this for + what do you love most about it?

30 years. I love engaging in the personal story of the families that I work for-which in turn inspires design.

How did you personally get into cottage construction + have you always been passionate about this?

I honed my construction skills on the bay, working for other contractors, myself and on my family Cottage. I have always been passionate about the cottage and when I built my own cabin even more so.

Above: Inviting Cottage (ballentineconstruction.com)

In relation to historic preservation:

What areas of Cottage Country do you work in + what are the main types of project you do?

Pointe au Baril and Parry Sound district
Cottage construction
We have rebuilt cottages based on original plans.
Renovated older cottages
Built new and more modern buildings

How do you manage historical projects? Ie. How do you decide what is viable to keep vs what cannot be kept? What is the design process like for this? Can you give an example of a recent project?

We save everything. We find a use for almost all reclaimed materials. We seamlessly combine old and new elements so that no one would know it was not original.

Is it difficult to keep all the original parts of an existing building? ie. structure deteriorates over time + has to be reinforced.

Moisture deteriorates old cottages.

What is most likely to wear over time, and what is most likely to maintain?

Roofs and wood foundations fail, Interior wood lasts

Above: Vintage Cottage (ballentineconstruction.com)

What are the most common problems you see with old cottages?

Moisture infiltration

How do you navigate the project when working on an island? What are the pros and cons and what do you find the most challenging?

You need plans ABC and D you are out for the day you better be organized and able to shift gears

Can you speak about the architecture of Pointe au Baril and surrounding area historically? The style of architecture and building methods?

Simple quality framing. Cabins with additions added as needed over the generations. Screen porches for dining and entertaining

How does heritage conservation work in Ontario and specifically in Cottage Country? There is the http://ohps.ca/ for Pointe Au Baril - can you speak a little bit about this?

Heritage conservation is about saving existing buildings of a historical significance

Can you speak specifically to your own cottage project Ardshona which you worked with ERA Architects to restore?

Ardshona was a fun calibration. Much of the cottage needed to be dismantled and rethought- prior to our ownership decisions had been made that didn’t belong on the building. Scott Weir and ERA helped us to make sense of the confusion and redefine the interior spaces. Our team worked hard to creatively up cycle old and salvaged materials like the cabinet fronts created from old boxes found in the cottage. Salvaged wall board to cover new walls. Used old and new window sashes to create and replace window openings. (see photos below)

Above: Ardshona Cottage (ballentineconstruction.com)

What are the benefits to restoring an old building vs tearing it down?

Original feel and look that you simply can’t recreate. Maintains local culture and connects you to the people who have come before you; which is often family.

What are ways that you build new + sustainable in Cottage Country?

We site buildings with minimal impact to the environment. We avoid cutting down trees, we look out for areas that may be habitat/ breeding/ hibernating, sites for wildlife.

What ways do you incorporate the natural landscape and environment?

The specific geographical features of each site dictate the design and location of the build. And that is determined on site visits.

Where do you source your building material from?

Local mills, suppliers, previous renovations, the forest.

Tell me a fun fact about yourself and something you enjoy doing!

I have a massive crystal chandelier in my garage waiting to find a home in a cottage.

I enjoy doing activities that are out of my comfort zone.