| Overview: |
Known as 'The Aerie", this is a seaside home on 5 totally private acres with water frontage at the head of the Bay of Fundy. There are unobstructed panoramic ocean views from almost every window and from the full length deck. The house and garage are BlueMax™ insulated concrete construction, with multi zoned in-floor radiant hot water heat. A modern kitchen, great room with vaulted ceilings and propane fireplace, and master bedroom suite, all with ceramic tile throughout comprise the main floor. On the second level are 4 additional bedrooms, as well as a very sizable office/studio/library room. A top quality greenhouse for the gardening enthusiast, together with two covered verandahs completes the building. This area of the Nova Scotia coast has some of the highest tides in the world sometimes reaching over 50 ft. In these troubling times the property provides peaceful seclusion, yet access to markets, privacy with no visible neighbors, and dramatic ocean front beauty offering perpetual kaleidoscopic images.
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| Comments: |
The grounds are a mixture of landscaping with lawn, fruit trees...and meadows left natural to watch the ever changing display of wildflowers. This is appreciated by the wild life that share the grounds: eagles, falcons, pheasant, grouse, heron, fox, deer, and the ever changing populations of migrating birds -- of which the Canadian goose is perhaps the most famous.
The house sits high enough above, and far enough back from, the highest tides so as to be perfectly safe from the most severe weather. Yet the endlessly fascinating (and endless, stretching for hundreds of miles in either direction) beach is accessible via a path through a little grove of trees and some simple rustic stairs, creating a virtually private beach which will rarely find another footprint than one's own.
The scenery and coastline are forever changing and wildlife is abundant. This is truly an oceanfront gem offering the very best in traditional beauty and modern living comfort.
The 12' X 15' shed is very well built, is on a concrete slab and has electricity. The transfer switch for the generator is inside the shed also, to protect it from the weather (the optional generator is behind the shed). The shed could easily be insulated for $ 100 or less. There are electric lights in it and it has three windows and a heavy duty metal door as well as a large door for bringing a lawn tractor in and out. There is also a loft in the shed that covers about half the square footage of the footprint of the shed, which is currently being used for storage.
Large Open Studio Space on Floor above Garage
The very large, open studio space above the garage with its two entrances (one independent and private), is between seven hundred and eight hundred square feet and has great potential for further development.
The open and cathedral ceilinged space is at present large enough to be either used as an enormous studio (present owners' choice) or a very large home business office or a recreation room. The current owners considered installing a surprisingly large swimming pool (up to 20'x 15') in this space (the floor is incredibly strong, being reinforced cast concrete, and supported by a number of concrete load-bearing walls below and could easily support the weight of such a pool, or, more modestly, a smaller "endless pool" for year 'round swimming in spite of snow in winter or insects in summer.
Another less flamboyant idea would be to subdivide the space into more rooms. There is plumbing available from both the adjacent mechanical room and on the opposite side of the studio, plumbing from directly below in the "workshop" area at the rear of the garage where there is a large foot-pedal washtub.
There is yet another option for exploiting the studio space if a buyer does not need it as an office, recreation/entertainment room (or someplace to exile the kids), or for a studio for painting, sculpture and other projects. Convert the studio into a separate apartment, either by itself, or by combining it with the adjacent bedroom on the other side of the mechanical room which has its own ensuite bathroom. By combining the upstairs bathroom adjacent to that bedroom, the bedroom and the studio which could be converted to an open floorplan living room/dining room, and using the stairway up from the garage (with garage privileges in the second, unused bay) - so it would have its own private entrance.
At very minimal expense, one could have a very nice and good sized flat or studio apartment with bay views from the open plan living room, especially if the very large picture window (now stored in shed) were installed. This apartment could be used as a "mother in law" apt. or rented out for income. (an alternate design, by the way, would be to use the adjacent bedroom as a kitchen since the mechanical room could be enclosed by simple walls with doors in front of the hot water heaters, etc. and create a very clean looking passage to the adjacent bedroom.
A recent home inspection report is available upon request. |
| Article: |
Perfect Positioning
Right house, right location.*
Printed in Homes Weekly insert for the Halifax Herald
By Gloria Kelly - Housing Reporter
They named their home The Aerie.
Situated on a beautiful bluff in eagle country along the Bay of Fundy, the home is a magnificent example of what can be achieved with proper planning and an understanding of both the land and state-of-the-art construction techniques. "We actually started out with a landscape plan for the property. That's really the only way you should ever look at sitting a home," says homeowner Tom Musial.
Tom, his wife Theodora and their grown children not only understand the value of that site-planning process, they are enjoying its results first-hand. Working with a two-hectare site that featured 171 meters (561 feet) of beach frontage, the family knew they wanted to take maximum advantage of that water view. However, they were also aware of the changing and sometimes temperamental weather conditions along the bay, which features the highest tides in the world rolling in and out twice daily.
On the site there was a stand of mature trees that offered a natural windbreak. Working with Environment Canada, who provided a 30-year micro-climate pattern for the area, the design team for the home worked out precisely where to site the house so it would have maximum protection from prevailing winds.
A garden planting plan for the site features rows and groupings of trees, many of them fruit bearing that will form additional windbreaks and natural garden areas as they mature. The long-range plan is for a series of semi-enclosed gardens surrounding the home that will be attractive to the family but also popular with local wildlife. There are plans for at least two arbors featuring grapes and kiwi.
Along one side of the property the land is contoured to form what appears to be a natural stream that will help carry runoff from the site, away from the house and towards the bay. Once the landscape plan for the property was in place, along with the site location for the house, the family had to decide what type of home they wanted to build.
They had owned a solid cedar log home near a waterfall, so knew they wanted a home that was solid and substantial. And since they had spend a lot of time sitting the home on the lot, it was only natural the design of the home would take time as well. As was the case with the landscape plan, Mr. Musial developed the basic design of the home to meet the family's needs and expectations.
At first glance as you approach the home it strikes you as a traditional, almost classic, Cape Cod style home with six beautiful dormers, covered porches and a greenhouse. Unless you knew the home to be new you would think it had been standing guard on that bluff for years. This is a home that is comfortable in its location, guarded and protected by a stand of mature trees. The location offers privacy, but it also features wide open space and a view that is hard to match.
But, although this home may appear to be traditional and classic it is far from traditional in terms of construction.
This home is built of concrete to the roof lines. The floors on both levels are concrete. The only wood frame construction in the project are the interior walls and the roof trusses.
Mr. Musial had been aware of the developing use of concrete in the home construction industry so decided to investigate further for the new home. "There are three (foundation and wall) systems available," said Mr. Musial. "We decided the AAB system (known by the trade name BlueMax™) from Bird Stairs would work best for us.
"The system gave the home an R-rating that exceeds R-2000 standards," he said. It also worked well for installing radiant in-floor heating in both levels of the home.
Built slab on grade, the home is designed in three sections, separated by the load bearing walls on the main floor and spanned by a 'bridge' style landing on the second level. The front entry and the great room have cathedral ceilings that are filled with light from walls of windows. Designed with a very open style, definition of the individual room spaces is supported by a floor design that features Italian ceramic tiles that define activity areas and traffic patterns throughout the house. Featuring three shades and colors, the tiles add detail and a unique warmth to the home's design. Beautiful warm maple with a light finish is featured throughout the home, from the kitchen to the gracious front staircase and onto the landing bridge.
Because the Musials were looking to the future and plan that this will be their retirement home, Mr. and Mrs. Musial can live most comfortably on the main level, which features no only the public rooms of the home but a spacious master suite and a den.
The home has four bedrooms on the second level, which means each one of their children has a space to call their own in the new home and there is still a room for a visiting mother or guest. There are numerous bathrooms, most which connect to adjacent rooms. "We designed the bathrooms with a centre shower with a private vanity and toilet area on each side," he said. "Sliding doors allow access to the shower from both sides." However, the spacious main bath on the second level resembles a mini spa highlighted by a huge soaking tub.
The kitchen area of the home is galley style featuring a utility and baking area at one end and a dining room with a bay window overlooking the bay at the opposite end. Two centre islands provide plenty of work space and are ideal for entertaining.
Thanks to the open plan of the public rooms, the dining room flows into the great room, which can also be reached from the kitchen. A freestanding, three-sided propane fireplace provides a visual separation between dining room and great room but in no way blocks the view.
Three covered decks extend the indoor living space into the garden area. Then there is the greenhouse, double garage and workshop, above which is a large recreation space the Musials say takes the place of a basement. "We still have lots to do," said Mrs. Musial. "But we are more than happy with the results."
*This article was written approximately 9 years ago when the original owners were building it. |
| Directions: |
Route 215 to Noel Shore. Civic 6195 long driveway to gate. |
| Systems: |
- Electric hot water; three 180 gallon hot water heaters supplying radiant in floor heat
- and parallel and 4 tons of Hyundai & Manuflo heat pump system and AC
- PowerSmart (off-peak) special electricity rates
Electric domestic hot water
- Septic system
- Drilled well (175 ft., 8.5 GPM)
- R-2000 standard insulation
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On grade slab
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| Appliances: |
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| Exterior: |
CanExel
CanExel prefinished siding is produced from wood fiber, resin, and wax fused under pressure. This engineered wood siding is highly stable, as well as highly resistant to moisture. It also helps optimize our forests’ yield by making the most of technological advances. In short, it does more with less…naturally. Moreover, CanExel siding is finished in the plant, resulting in durable, easy maintenance products with all the beauty and nobility of wood.
CanExel siding products are subjected to a continuous quality control process, from forest to finish. Rigorous testing helps assure that each product meets the highest standards of quality. The finish on CanExel siding consists of five coats of baked-on paint, and a sealer providing increased resistance to cracking, splitting, warping, splintering and buckling of the substrate.
CanExel siding has been subjected to outdoor testing in seven different climates throughout North America. It has been shown to withstand the intense cold of the Canadian north, the tropical humidity of Florida, the scorching heat of the Arizona desert, the salty air of the Nova Scotia seacoast and the winds that sweep the Saskatchewan prairies.
All CanExel siding products carry a 25-year limited warranty against cracking, deflection, and hail damage as well as a 15-year limited warranty on the finish. For further information, please refer to the full warranty.
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| Construction Details: |
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The home is an architectural masterpiece both in its design and in the quality of its construction. Built on a concrete slab, the home is of predominately concrete construction. It features in-floor hot water heating, CanExel siding, exquisite flooring and ample room for everything. Both the interior and exterior are virtually maintenance free and should remain so for years - ask about warranties.
More information about the AAB building system used to construct the home:
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| Area: |
Noel Shore is a very quiet, safe, crime-free rural area of rolling hills, farms and small fishing and lumbering communities on the shores of the Cobequid Bay or Minas Basin, a large body of water at the northeast end of the Bay of Fundy. Of interest is that this area features the highest record tides in the world, sometimes reaching in excess of sixty feet and equally dramatic low tides.
Noel Shore is located about a one hour drive from the cosmopolitan port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital city and less than an hour from Halifax International Airport.
There are many services locally within 10 minutes of the estate (gas stations, good schools, grocery stores, a pharmacy, medical clinic, hardware store, bank, parks, two fire departments, and emergency medical services) and even more elaborate services a half hour away in Truro (three major supermarkets, Walmart, Canadian Tire, chain drugstores, two shopping malls, a major Hospital, public community college, regional library, full professional service, and a charming old fashioned shopping, business, and civic center).
There is a golf course a short drive from the Aerie as well as various interpretive centers, museums, tidal bore rafting, whale watching, fishing, hunting and in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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| Area - Bay of Fundy: |
Over 360 species of birds have been spotted throughout the Bay of Fundy region, including such endangered species as the peregrine falcon and the piping plover. Of the two million birds that travel along the Atlantic Flyway each year, three-quarters stop in the Fundy region, making it the most important stopping point along the Eastern seaboard.
The Bay of Fundy is a true natural wonder which has been shaped by the power of the tides which can be as high as 50 feet! This power has a great effect on the region on the the flow of surrounding rivers, the face of the shores that line its waters and the life within the bay and along its shores.
The tides carry with them and stir up nutrients that attract over 8 species of whales and an abundance of sea creatures and plant life. In addition to humpback, minke and fin whales, northern atlantic right whales are commonly seen in the Bay of Fundy.
The Fundy tides create the phenomena of the Tidal Bore. The waters narrow into two prongs at the inner most part of the Bay - one leading to Moncton, the other to Truro. When the rising waters of the Bay meet the narrowing of the land a "tidal wave" of usually 3 feet occurs.
For more information about the Bay of Fundy:
FIFTY FEET, FIFTY REASONS
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