Modernist Gem in downtown Stratford, Ontario.

Architects: Shim-Sutcliffe. (www.Shim-Sutcliffe.com)

The house is in the centre of a charming Victorian/Edwardian city, overlooking Lake Victoria and the Stratford parklands for the best view in town.

INTRODUCTION:
Tadao Ando was the inspiration for the architecture. The aesthetic is modernist through and through; and materials are poured-in-place concrete, steel, wood (mainly cedar and Douglas fir), cement board, and glass. Completion was in 2001.

The beautifully-appointed living room has a wood-burning fireplace; throughout the house are the finest examples of modernist furniture and lighting. In the master bedroom, you get the first light of the day; and the view from the living room offers the perfect sunsets.

ACCOMMODATION:
There are two bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom, and there is a powder room on the main level. Each bedroom has a queen-sized bed, which sleeps two. There is a large, semi-industrial kitchen; a dining room that seats up to nine, and a living room that comfortably seats eight.

At the back of the house there is a water-lily pond, and a small, romantic garden. The house is across the street from an extensive park system.

There is parking for two cars. Daily housekeeping is provided, and we ask all exchange guests to leave a tip of $10.00 CAD per night.

The house does not have an elevator, and therefore is not suitable for anyone who cannot climb stairs.

PRESS:
The house was chosen as a "Record House" by Architectural Record in April 2002. In 2004, the property was chosen for inclusion in The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, and in the book WhereAbouts: New Architecture with Local Identities. We are featured on the following unique websites:
www.Boutique-Homes.com
www.WelcomeBeyond.com

WHEN WE HOST:
We have hosted exchange guests during the months of JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, MAY, and OCTOBER, NOVEMBER and DECEMBER. It is more difficult for us to host during JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER.

LOCAL AREA:
Stratford, Ontario is on a human scale, which makes it a walkers’ paradise. The House is in the centre of town, and everything is nearby.

Visitors to Stratford attend the Stratford Festival, North America’s largest classical repertory theatre. To see what will be on stage in 2016, please visit: www.StratfordFestival.ca

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN STRATFORD:
Gallery Stratford. (Year-round.)
Stratford Festival. (April through October.)
Stratford Summer Music. (July-August.)
Slow Food Perth Co. Market. (Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Stratford Farmers Market. (Saturday: 7 a.m. to 12 noon.)

Local restaurants to visit:
Rundles (located next door)
Bijou
The Bruce
Mercer Hall Inn
Monforte on Wellington
Red Rabbit
Revival House

Favourite local bar:
Down the Street

Favourites for coffee/tea:
Balzac's
Revel Caffe

RECOMMENDED DAY TRIPS FROM STRATFORD:
Lake Huron: Bayfield, Grand Bend and Pinery Provincial Park.
St. Marys, and Wildwood Conservation Area.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls.
St. Jacobs, Elora and Elora Gorge, and Fergus.
Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge.
Toronto.

FURTHER AFIELD, BEFORE/AFTER STRATFORD:
Buffalo, and the Finger Lakes, New York.
Point Pelee National Park, Ontario.
Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Muskoka, and Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario.
Tobermory, and Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario.
Prince Edward Co., Ontario.

TRANSPORT LINKS:
Rental car, limousine, and airport shuttle services provide the fastest transportation between Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Stratford. Via Rail links Stratford to Toronto (where Amtrak services are available to Buffalo, and New York City). During the Stratford Festival theatre season, the ‘Stratford Direct’ bus service is available to and from Toronto.

CLOSEST MAJOR AIRPORTS:
Toronto, Ontario (YYZ).
Detroit, Michigan (DTW).
Buffalo, New York (BUF).
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REGIONAL AIRPORTS:
London, Ontario (YXU).
Waterloo, Ontario (YKF).
Hamilton, Ontario (YHM).

APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIMES TO STRATFORD, FROM:
Toronto = 2 hours.
Ottawa = 6 hours.
Detroit = 3 hours.
Buffalo = 3 hours.
Chicago = 8 hours.
New York City = 8 hours.
(The above estimates do not include wait times at the Canada-U.S.A. border.)

About the location

"This small Ontario city is home to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (North America’s largest classical repertory theatre). However, design lovers will want to visit for the Rundles Morris House. A contemporary residence, designed by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, it’s a sublime combination of materials, in this case concrete, cedar and Douglas fir. The property is spread over four levels, with a central atrium drenching the house in natural light." [Wallpaper* City Guide Toronto.]

Conditions of exchange

Facilities

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