Custom Homes, Additions, Renovations & Energy Retrofits

Transforming Homes Across Ottawa with Purposeful, Inspired Design

At JoT Architecture, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional, and future-ready homes. Whether you're building a custom residence, adding space to an existing house, or modernizing a heritage property, our Ottawa-based architects bring craftsmanship, creativity, and sustainability to every project.

Open-concept living room with gray sofas, modern artwork, a window seat with a black chair and a window, wooden flooring, and a dining area visible in the background.

Our Work

A third floor addition and renovations to the exterior and interior of a single family home. Work included an attic addition for increased living space, upgraded insulation levels, and new windows to maximize energy efficiency of the building envelope. In collaboration with Clear Interior Design and Gooderham Consulting Group.

METCALFE

Part of a red brick house with black window frames, trees with green leaves, and sunlight filtering through the leaves.

A modern bathroom with a wooden vanity, a large mirror, and a walk-in shower with glass doors. The vanity has dark hardware, and the countertop holds various toiletries in green containers and a soap dispenser. Recessed and ceiling lights illuminate the room.

Close-up of a black wall-mounted reading lamp beside a wooden bed with a white pillow and bed sheet, with a sheer curtain on the left and a green wall in the background.

A white built-in closet with black handles, featuring multiple shelves, drawers, and cabinets, in a room with wooden flooring and a partial view of a chair on the right.

MONTEBELLO

This new lakeside home prioritizes gorgeous views from every area. Whether cooking in the custom-designed kitchen, sipping morning coffee on the expansive deck, or relaxing in the soaker tub, the view is to nature, creating an immersive experience within it. The spaces were designed to be flexible for large family gatherings while maintaining a minimal footprint. A second tiny cottage was designed to provide private guest space while complementing the main home.

Small wooden table with three potted plants in front of large window showing trees outside. There are decorative bird cutouts on the window.

A lakeside house surrounded by tall pine trees under a blue sky, with a planted garden and rocky ground in the foreground.

Two black Adirondack chairs on a wooden deck overlooking a forested lake with pine trees and a blue sky.

Modern bathroom with a freestanding bathtub near a large window overlooking a forest, with a shower area on the left and a small round table with a tablet on it.

Living room with large windows overlooking a wooded outdoor area, containing a beige sofa with patterned pillows, an orange armchair, a glass-top coffee table, and a dining area where a person is setting the table. There's also a wood stove and a television.

Interior of a staircase with wooden steps, a simple handrail, a large vertical window letting in natural light, and a framed picture on the wall at the top of the stairs.

SHAKESPEARE

Damage from a hail storm kicked-started upgrades throughout this home, including vinyl siding replaced with stained wood siding over exterior rigid insulation for improved thermal efficiency. Windows and doors were replaced with energy efficient models while transitioning to a modern aesthetic. This project is featured in the Ottawa Citizen: Compact Quarters

The project was constructed in collaboration with Gooderham Consulting Group.

The back of a two-story house with light blue siding, a small staircase leading to a door, a leafless tree in front, and a grassy yard. The top right corner has the word 'BEFORE'.

A modern two-story house with dark siding, multiple windows, and a small balcony with a wooden railing. An unfinished wooden platform extends from the house's upper level, and greenery surrounds the house under a blue sky with clouds.

SHERBOURNE

A new 2 storey detached home in Westboro with a finished basement. An open concept main floor provides a visual connection from the entry through to the private rear yard. Clever built-ins provide ample storage and open to reveal an office adjacent to the main entry. Balconies on the second storey provide private outdoor spaces for the bedrooms. Existing foundations from the original bungalow which was demolished were reused creating a split level design, minimizing the impact of the garage facing the street and allowing large stepped window wells facing the rear yard to bring plenty of natural light into the basement recreation space. This project was designed in collaboration with Clear Interior Design. Photos by Ula Photography.

Front view of a modern, two-story house with dark wood and brick exterior, large windows, glass balcony, and a black garage door, with a staircase leading to the front door.

A modern multi-story house with black wooden siding and large glass windows, surrounded by a green lawn and trees, with outdoor stairs leading to the entrance.

Interior view of a modern home with dark wood flooring, a staircase with wooden steps and glass railing, and white walls. A blurred woman is walking up the stairs near a kitchen area with large windows in the background.

Bright bathroom featuring a white bathtub, large corner windows showing outdoor trees, and a glass shower enclosure.

MELBOURNE

The client's wishes were to remove an existing poorly constructed 1 storey addition and replace it with a 2 storey, light-filled ground floor family room and mudroom with primary bedroom and ensuite above. Opening up the connections between the existing and new provides light and views throughout the house. An existing garage was also given a face lift to provide an integrated street presence. The addition complements the existing home inside and out through material choice and proportion, while opening the interior spaces to the exterior gardens and patios. This project was completed in collaboration with Beckwith Carpentry Co Ltd and Clear Interior Design. Photos by Ula Photography.

A brick house with a white upper floor and black shutters on the windows, set in a snowy landscape with outdoor seating and neighboring houses visible.

Living room fireplace with white built-in shelves on either side holding decorative plants, books, and pottery, with a modern black-framed fireplace and a black bird sculpture on the mantel.

Close-up of a white wall with horizontal siding, a red brick wall, and a black outdoor lantern.

Bathroom vanity with wooden cabinetry, black faucet, large mirror, and decorative items including a black vase with dried plants, a small black pot with a succulent, and a clear glass bottle.

Entryway with white built-in cabinets and hooks, a basket, and a view into a living room with a sofa and window.

Back view of a modern white two-story house with large black-framed windows, a small front porch with wooden steps, and a snow-covered yard, neighboring houses and leafless trees visible.

Bedroom with dark gray accent wall, bed with gray bedding, black and gold wall-mounted reading lamp, small black side table with white decor, wicker basket and woven basket near window, view of autumn trees outside

CUNNINGHAM

A new 2 storey home in Alta Vista built to GreenHouse environmental standards with sustainable features including grey water recycling, drain water heat recovery, passive house principles and a super efficient wood burning fireplace. House and garden were integrated into a heavily treed property for the enjoyment of nature and minimal environmental impact. Formal planting and terracing at the front of the house is designed to soften the architecture and work with existing mature trees and steeply sloping grade. New planting selections are designed to be drought tolerant, hardy, and low maintenance with areas to grow fruit and vegetables. Curved features are inspired by images provided by the owner.
Featured in Ottawa Citizen Article: When Grey Turns to Green.

This project was built in collaboration with Gooderham Consulting Group.

Modern home under construction with a mix of brick and siding exterior, wooden accents, and vertical windows, surrounded by trees and stone landscaping.

Modern kitchen with gray stone countertop, white cabinets, and a wooden dining table with a blue vase holding flowers and a fruit bowl, illuminated by pendant lights.

Living room with a modern fireplace, TV above, decorated for Christmas, large windows, and a small Christmas tree.

Bathroom with a bathtub and a separate glass-enclosed shower stall with beige tile and a window.

Sunlit bedroom with ceiling fan, framed black-and-white photo, cream pillows, wooden floor, open door leading to hallway with furniture.

A view from the top of a staircase looking down into a living space with a small round table near a large window, decorative hanging lights, framed artwork on the walls, and polished concrete flooring.

A brick house with a small covered porch area under construction, supported by a large wooden beam, with a stone foundation and surrounded by trees.

ROTHWELL

A new custom home was designed to integrate into a heavily treed and steeply sloping empty lot. A walk-out basement allows a secondary dwelling unit to have ample glazing and access to the yards. Features include ICF walls above and below grade to maximize thermal efficiency, roof design and orientation to house a solar array, an in-home office and loft space for a studio, and connections to the exterior terraced gardens for outdoor amenity space. This project has a building permit and is ready for construction.

Architectural line drawing of a multi-level house with various windows, a chimney, steps leading to the front door, and a raised foundation.

Architectural line drawing of the side elevation of a house showing windows, doors, steps, and a sloped ground.

EVERED

Before and after photos illustrate changes to this home to improve curb appeal and environmental performance. Upgrades included a new front porch and landscaping, new windows, mechanical system improvements, increased insulation, and vented soffits to address ice dam issues in winter.

A brick house with white trim, a front porch with four steps, two white columns, and a small black door. There is a large window to the left of the porch and a smaller window above the door. The house has a gabled roof with grey shingles, and there are bushes and a green lawn in front of it.

A two-story brick house with a front porch, surrounded by trees and garden plants, with shadows of leaves cast on the facade.

An addition and renovations to the exterior and interior of a single family home in a heritage district. Work included second and third floor additions designed to blend in with the existing house, interior renovations, and measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

MANOR

White multi-story house with dark shutters, three garage doors, and a snow-covered yard during winter.

A white two-story house with a steep gray roof, surrounded by trees, a white picket fence, and a stone walkway leading to the front door.

A white multi-story house with blue shutters, surrounded by green trees and bushes, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.

GOLDEN

A new home was designed to replace a beloved existing residence destroyed by fire in Ottawa’s Highland Park neighbourhood. The traditional design with multi-level wrap around porch and deck above, provides bright living space on the ground floor, four bedrooms for four children on the second floor, and a primary suite in an attic. The slope of the site allowed for garages at the bottom level with mudroom, storage and recreational uses for a busy family.

Floor plan of a house showing various rooms including a kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedrooms, and a porch.

Drawing of a multi-story house with a garage, front porch, and balcony, featuring brick and wood exterior details.

A multi-story brick house with balconies, flags, a small front porch, and a landscaped yard with trees and fallen leaves.

SOUDAN

Renovations to an existing semi-detached home in Midtown Toronto that involved converting a duplex into a single residence with an infill addition at the front porch to create an enlarged entry space with storage. Interior finishes were removed on the main and second storeys and the spaces were redesigned to create an open concept floor plan with a strengthened visual connection to the private outdoor space in the rear yard. A solarium was replaced with a deck, allowing light to travel further into the main level. High windows were incorporated facing the side yard for additional light while maintaining privacy to the neighbouring dwelling. This project was completed in 2024. In collaboration with MacInnis Construction.

Front view of a three-story modern black wooden house with large windows, some of which have signs that say 'LINE FIBERGLASS'. There is a small tree with bare branches in the foreground and a ladder leaning against the house on the left side.

empty kitchen with light green cabinets, marble countertops, hardwood floor, a few chairs near large glass doors, and a small porch outdoor area.

View of a wooden staircase leading down to a hallway with hardwood flooring, a small mat, and a single shoe on a shoe tray.

Interior of a home with a wooden staircase on the left, and a kitchen area on the right featuring white cabinets, open shelves with decorative items and a potted plant, and a stainless steel refrigerator.

MACKAY

Addition and renovations created a bright spacious kitchen with an eating area overlooking the rear gardens, and new exterior porches at the side and back of a semi-detached home in the new Edinburgh heritage district. This project was completed in collaboration with Beckwith Carpentry Co Ltd and the artistic and interior skills of the owner.

Backyard with a small brick house extension featuring a white porch and multiple windows, outdoor dining table with six chairs on a paved patio, surrounded by trees, in sunlight.

A porch with a brick wall, a white door with glass panes, a bench with two decorative pillows, a window covered with a beige curtain, and a glass ceiling allowing sunlight to enter.

Bright kitchen nook with white cabinetry, multiple large windows, a built-in window seat with cushions, a glass round table, metal wire chairs, and potted plants on the windowsill.

A dining room with a glass table, six beige chairs, a vase of colorful flowers, and decorative objects. Open French doors lead to a backyard with green grass and trees. A large hanging light fixture is above the table, and a framed black and white artwork hangs on the beige wall.

NOEL

This existing single family home was renovated from top to bottom to modernize and customize for an active and growing family. Working with the existing building footprint, spaces were reconfigured to maximize function including the addition of a fourth bedroom on the upper level, breakfast nook off the kitchen, walk-in kitchen pantry and mudroom. Features and accessories from the original home were saved and carefully integrated into the design to retain the unique style and history of the home. After the original renovation was complete in 2013, we teamed up with the owners again in 2018 to design the finished basement.
This project was in collaboration with Pandore Innovations and Clear Interior Design.

Modern bathroom with a wooden vanity, white countertops, and gold fixtures. Glass shower enclosure with gold hardware and a white tile interior. Large mirror above the vanity and a window providing natural light.

Bathroom with a white bathtub, gold fixtures, a stained glass window with a circular design, and natural sunlight streaming in.

Modern bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, a skylight, a white bathtub, and white subway tile walls.

Modern kitchen with white walls, wooden flooring, and large windows. Contains a kitchen island with a white countertop and pendant lights, along with stainless steel appliances and a dining table with chairs.

MARIPOSA

Additions and renovations to blend into the existing style, profile, and materials of a well-beloved Rockcliffe home. An in-law suite was added to the home with a sitting room accessed from the existing renovated staircase landing, leading to a private deck, bedroom and bathroom.

Large, multi-story house with dark gray exterior, multiple windows, and a sloped roof, surrounded by trees and landscaping.

Front view of a large house with multiple windows, a small balcony, and a sloped roof, partially obscured by a wooden playground structure in the foreground.

View of a staircase leading to a living room with couches, chairs, and a coffee table illuminated by sunlight through large windows.

Indoor staircase with wooden steps, white railing, and beige carpet runner, leading to the upper floor in a house.

Addition and renovations to a historic row house in the New Edinburgh heritage district that was the recipient of an Ottawa Architectural Conservation Award in 2008. The small footprint additions created covered parking tucked under a deck, a shallow entrance hall set against the existing brick wall with a lightwell and stairs to basement below and a second floor coffee deck above, expanded living and bedroom spaces with tall windows with views to the Peace Tower.

STANLEY

A two-story yellow house with multiple white-framed windows and a deck with white railing. There is an umbrella and outdoor furniture on the deck, surrounded by trees and shadows.

A multi-story house with beige wooden siding, multiple large windows, and a white balcony with black accents, surrounded by trees.

Small balcony with wooden flooring, a round wooden table, two matching chairs, a white ceramic pot with a plant, and a window on a brick and light-colored wall, with sunlight casting shadows and trees in the background.

Bright hallway with yellow walls, white trim, and large windows looking out to a porch with chairs. A brick wall on the left, and a ceiling with hanging light fixtures.

Let's Bring Your Home Vision to Life

Whether you’re dreaming of a modern custom home, planning a sensitive addition, or seeking a deep energy retrofit, JoT Architecture offers the insight, creativity, and care to get it done right. Let’s design a home that’s built for you—and built for the future.

Contact Us Today!

Custom Home Design in Ottawa

A custom home should reflect who you are and how you live. We work closely with each homeowner to create one-of-a-kind designs that align with personal vision, site conditions, and long-term sustainability goals.

Our custom home designs feature:

Tailored layouts for modern families, creatives, and multigenerational living
Integration with natural landscapes, steep grades, and mature trees (e.g. Cunningham, Rothwell)
Smart space planning with flexible use areas and secondary suites
Sustainable features like ICF walls, solar-ready roofs, and passive solar orientation

From reimagining lost homes after fire (Golden) to off-grid-ready living (Rothwell), our custom homes balance ambition with technical excellence.

Thoughtful Home Additions That Feel Seamless

When it’s time to grow, evolve, or adapt, we help you expand your home with integrity and care. Our addition projects preserve your home’s character while enhancing everyday living.

Our home addition designs prioritize:

Cohesive exterior detailing, even in heritage districts (e.g. Manor, Melbourne, Stanley)
Light-filled transitions and enhanced views to outdoor gardens or decks
Strategic structural updates to minimize disruption
Design continuity across styles, materials, and floor levels

Whether adding a modern family wing or a quiet studio retreat, our designs make new feel natural.

Renovations Rooted in History, Functionality, & Modern Living

From full-home modernizations to focused transformations, our renovations breathe new life into existing homes—preserving what matters and reimagining what’s possible.

Our renovation expertise includes:

Whole-home reconfigurations (Noel, Soudan)
Historic home upgrades with awards and recognition (Stanley, MacKay)
Energy-efficient exterior upgrades and systems retrofits (Shakespeare, Evered)
Basement and attic conversions that feel like part of the original home

We’re experts at retaining charm while unlocking modern comfort and performance.

Energy Retrofits & Climate-Conscious Design

We believe every home can be a climate asset. Our architectural team incorporates sustainable design at every stage—from envelope upgrades to solar-ready design to water conservation.

Our environmental strategies include:

Passive solar design and building orientation
Deep energy retrofits with insulation, ventilation, and window upgrades
Adaptive reuse of materials and structures (e.g. Sherbourne foundation reuse)
Drought-tolerant and food-producing landscapes (Cunningham)

We help future-proof homes for the next generation — without compromising comfort or beauty.

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