Newman Road, 2014

This one-of-a-kind house exemplifies a passion for new ideas and aesthetic beauty, in harmony with its natural surroundings. Designed to disturb as little as possible and take full advantage of the magnificent mature trees, as they are an essential and dominate characteristic of the site. Primary materials are natural stone and wood, used inside and out in an elegant and harmonious arrangement. Juxtaposition of material, texture & colour, make for an unencumbered home that continues, intertwines, and reflects the topography and vegetation of the site.

Much consideration was given to massing & proportion, balance of glass & natural light, and framing of spectacular views. The design provides interplay between interior and exterior spaces as you move through the house. Porches, balconies, terraces, and windows, are cleverly used to create unexpected views and yet provide for privacy and comfort.

One of the main design concepts was to essentially split the house in two and create a visual link between the street and the century old Bur Oak tree in the rear yard. A glass link was created between the two halves of the home in order to achieve this relationship. The right side of the house contains the quieter and more private spaces of the plan and the left side of the house contains the more dynamic spaces for living and entertaining.

The front elevation was designed to be attractive from both the street and the side, due to the existing adjacent house setbacks. Natural stone wraps the front (South) elevation and is bathed in warm sunlight for most of the day. A 20 foot long planter box, elevated above the garage door provides additional landscaping and screening of sloped roof. The roof was designed for a 10kW Solar Panel System (MicroFIT Program).

A cantilevered concrete front porch hovers 2 feet off the ground and provides for an intriguing arrival. The covered porch is sheltered by a cantilevered steel canopy above which also supports an engineered green roof system. The left side of the house features a projected mass (Dining Room) clad with a vibrant stained cedar siding and is elevated several feet from the ground in the effort to recognize the site’s original topography and overland water flow. The rear of the house has a Viceroy style modern cottage design, featuring a large window wall with glass from grade to ceiling.