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We are delighted to share the first round of design images of a new home proposed outside of Caledon, Ontario. The house is situated at the crest of a paddock overlooking a field, barns, valley, and forest. Trees surround the paddock, and the whole area is connected by many walking trails. The client wants to keep a deep connection to the earth with the use of natural materials, choreographed views out to the paddock and surrounding forest, and courtyard gardens to create a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces.

The design process focused on thinking of the sequencing of approaching and using the home. Courtyards have been used in the entry sequence, pool area and bedrooms to provide levels of privacy and contact with the forest and nature. The layout of the house is split into two “bars” of space. The main home, which consists of the main bedrooms, kitchen, living and dining spaces and the second bar which provides additional services for the occupants like a sauna, office and guest spaces. The entry corridor splits these tow bars and provides circulation between spaces.

Certain views were integral in the design process of the layout. It was important to provide the occupants with a view from the entry of the home all the way through to the forest beyond. The image above shows what the view from the entrance of the house looks like, through to the pool area and trees.

The Image below shows the view from the main living space to the mud room. The hallway provides natural light via clerestories. This allows for the light from the south to enter the home, but also views of the driveway and provides privacy to the residents. To the right is the entry closet, door to the sauna, and the basement access. The office is located at the end of the hallway with direct access from the mud room. The office has been separated from the rest of the hallway to provide a barrier between work and the main home. The direct access from the mud room allows for business meetings to take place without the need for work related guests to have to access the main house.

The main living space carries the same materials from the rest of the project. The brick was chosen for the exterior walls and feature interior walls due to the earthen qualities and feeling of solidity. A mix of wood and plastered gypsum will be used in the ceiling and walls. The cabinetry is made of the same wood as the window frames and mullions, to tie everything together. The floor is terracotta tile throughout (and also on the patio).

In the kitchen and bathroom, a green subway tile and terracotta counters are used to create accent colours that tie into tones seen in the surrounding landscape. The terracotta tiles are also used as flooring for its texture, colours and durability.

The main spaces boasts of high vaulted ceilings with mass timber beams. The rest of the home has low ceiling heights to help emphasize the change of space when entering the main room. A central fireplace is located in the center of the room, made of the same brick that is featured in the accent walls and exterior.

The view of the fireplace can be seen from all areas of the main room, which helps tie the mezzanine and other living spaces together.

The lofted ceiling in the main room of the home provides space for a mezzanine gallery and lounge/library for the client. There is a bench at the center of a dormer window that looks over a green roof and the driveway going into the forest. On either side of the bench there is space to display archaeological artifacts or artwork that has been collected. Overhead lighting baths the walls and exposed wooden beams. Two sets of stairs lead up the mezzanine, allowing for a smooth circumambulation of the gallery. These stairs are also positioned to provide a physical and auditory barrier between the bedrooms and main living space.

Above is a render of the mezzanine from the stairs. Over head studio lights on a track have been added so that the space can be customized depending on the display. There are wooden fins on the dormer windows to deflect the southern light and mitigate the harsh light during sunrise and sunset.

Back on the ground floor, the two main bedrooms off the living space both have their own private courtyards as well as washrooms. The space carries through the same materials as the rest of the house and each contains a desk area and two shelving units, below are some 3D views of the bedroom areas.

A few more images of the exterior: