Luxury Homes for Mozambique

I’m Sean, production manager of Best Home. Working on the design side of the magazine, I have seen countless splendid houses and truly inspiring pieces of architecture. Life in Canada provides many comforts, it’s important to remember to give back.

Habitat for Humanity is recognized as one of the biggest organizations dedicated to ending homelessness for underprivileged people across the globe. Volunteers are required to make a donation and then go on a one to two week trip to their chosen country to assist in building houses. Habitat uses this money to buy building supplies as well as hire and train local people to work along side the build projects.

Early in March, I left behind my first world comforts and traveled to Mozambique to participate in a weeklong build project. Immediately upon arrive in the capital, the poverty of the country was overwhelming. The few roads that were paved were riddled with potholes. Half constructed buildings stood abandoned and unfinished due to companies running out of money. Even though this was my second build project with Habitat (the first took place in Cambodia) I was not prepared for the shock of being thrown into this setting. 

Volunteers from all over the world are welcome to participate in the build projects. In this case, fifteen Americans and myself (the Canadian) met in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo. We all made good first impressions on each other and became fast friends. The day after our arrival we left the capital for the work site.

A group of forty women awaited the vans. As soon as the builders stepped out of the vehicles, the women threw their hands in the air and started singing and dancing toward us. There was an excited energy in the crowd. We all watched in awe and surprise, each feeling humbled. After a couple minutes the singing began to quiet, and the dancing became a little less enthusiastic. At this point, Joyce (our Mozambican Habitat contact) told us that we were expected to join the group in this big dance. Three other volunteers and myself stepped forward. The group got its second wind, the signing picked up, the dancing became fierce and one woman threw her arms around my neck and started to spin me around! They truly could not have given us a warmer welcome.

Afterward, Joyce introduced us to the benefactors of the houses we were to work on. Adelina, a seventy-four year old woman was the sole caregiver for her three grandsons. Lurdis, in her early thirties, had lost two husbands to HIV/AIDS. She herself had contracted the virus and was raising four children (all of whom are HIV free). Both families liven in small reed huts held together by wire, with only the sandy ground as the floor.

The build itself went very smoothly. We gathered materials, mixed cement, layered brick, made rebar structures and added corrugated metal roofing to both of houses we worked on. Each house had two rooms, lockable windows and door, solid roof, and was having a cement floor installed (this happened after we left). At the closing ceremonies both Luris and Adelina showed thanks and appreciation. Again, women of the community started to sing and dance and offered a pray for the volunteers.

To Canadian standards, these homes would be equivalent to garden sheds. For the people in the poor communities in Mozambique these were something to take pride in, something to feel safe with. This was life changing for them.

Reentry into Canada was odd. I felt a slightly uncomfortable, oppressive sense of gratitude for everything around me. While these sorts of projects change the realties and possibilities for the benefactors of the homes, they also create a fundamental change in the attitudes and objects of those choosing to be involved. This was by far one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.

Best Homes & Lifestyle: Q Haute Cuisine

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Like all things that bring quality, originality, and dedication to the mix, I have to say my culinary experience at Q Haute Cuisine was of a caliber that was unexpected and simply too good to keep to myself.

Firstly I must that the evening was not pretentious… a relief really as I don’t require that to feel special. Instead, the entire staff was congenial and enthusiastic and the evening itself a great education that engaged not only the food itself but the preparation. Engaging all five senses, I experienced passion, daring, and whimsical inspiration. It was an adventure and one I that would strongly recommend to all who enjoy fine dining.

Overlooking the Bow River the location itself provides the views that contribute to its warm and inviting ambience. Immediately I was taken with the small details of the place setting and the attentiveness of the staff, which oddly was never intrusive.

My dinner companion and I opted for the chef’s selection and wine pairing and were very glad we did. It was an impressive balance of presentation, texture, flavour, and anticipation for the next course. I personally found the delicate smoked eel in a parsley gelatin roll and the anchovy tempura a true delight. Again, the texture of each dish was as distinctive as its flavour and the table side personal touches by our very knowledgeable waiters made the evening indulgent and memorable.

A tour of the kitchens was also unexpected and entertaining. We found that Q Haute has three chefs on every night regardless of volume for a consistent experience uniquely its own. We also observed their special cooking and freezing methods that brought each dish to new heights. Sadly I could make very few of them at home, but that’s the point, isn’t it?

By the end of the evening I was feeling somewhat spoiled and a little dazed by the sheer dedication to their craft. If you haven’t yet tried it make it on this month’s bucket list. Did I mention that they are currently one of the top five restaurants in Canada? 

- Cindy Chobanik, Editor in Chief

Fall 2012

Spring 2012 Issue

 

"Congratulations on a great magazine. It is fabulous to have a publication with local suppliers. Best of luck and thank you, I am looking forward to future issues."
-Pat C.
 
"So glad to have picked up a copy of Best Home Western Canada. Finally, a quality product for us. The articles and photos are great. The best thing, however, is having upscale retail products advertised that are located in Calgary. I like the concept so much- my friends will see your publication in my house."
-Roy F.

Sailing Home

Perched on a mountain slope overlooking British Columbia lakefront views, this distinctive and exceedingly picturesque retreat seems to imbibe the whimsy of nature, echoing its forms with a skilled playfulness that captures glances as often and as steadily as the waves moulding the shores below.

 

 “It was very important to capture as much of the lake, mountain, and skyline views as possible when designing the home for both style and function,” asserts Craig Mohr of Vineyard Developments, who exceeded client expectations in creating a synergy between a uniquely beautiful exterior and its functional, comfortable interior. A curved design was utilized to achieve this goal, which allows viewers different perspectives from each room in a home that ultimately feels like part of its natural setting. Hosting originality, four sail shapes were designed into the roof, capturing nautical features given the proximity to the lake, each providing a vaulted ceiling to the master bedroom, great room, dining room, and den. “The home is located below the main subdivision road so the rooflines would be a major focal point and therefore integral that they be unique and interesting,” adds Mohr. Large overhangs also keep the house cool and create shaded outdoor living areas with high rake windows for maximum viewscapes.

For over a decade, Craig Mohr has been beautifying Kelowna’s viewscape with his own blend of vision and style. This design/build company captures the essence of their client’s dream and translates it into reality with knowledge of the latest building products and their best applications for results that speak for themselves. “The foundation and structure of this home were very complicated, so several engineering methods were evaluated to insure structural integrity was maintained as cost effectively as possible,” affirms Mohr. As the site was located on a mountain slope, large quantities of rock had to be excavated and substantial retaining walls required, creating a walkout with elevator access to accommodate guest bedrooms, a recreation room, gym, and media centre. Vigilant in his strategy of ‘Connect-Create-Construct,’ Craig’s aim to satisfy client needs with an eye on every detail was carried through to fruition.

Thankful for the trust of his client that allowed him the creative freedom to develop what he felt was appropriate for their family, home site, and the surrounding area, Craig adds, “They wanted a funky, contemporary concept with great views that would fulfill family needs. It was an exciting prospect from start to finish, one that was three years in the making.” Featuring 6,600 square feet of concrete, steel, and wood, this ultra custom home required countless hours of planning with an original concept that demanded continual consideration and strategic review.

“I count myself very fortunate to have had this opportunity and freedom to design and build a world-class home for such a deserving family, it was a true labour of love for everyone involved,” recounts Craig, whose artistic background allowed him from the creative side of this venture much personal joy and satisfaction. “The best approach is to under promise and over deliver.”