This 81 unit building for the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, will be
constructed this coming Spring.
As the building is on a beautifully wooded site, all the common areas are
located to afford views overlooking a heavily treed ravine.
All the
apartments are assembled as a block together, to bring efficiency of
construction, yet still afford views to the forested areas on each side.
The ground floor contains the entrance and larger assembly areas and
provides a base for the apartments above. A match gazebo will be
built close to the building for the enjoyment of residents outdoors.
Materials will be to reflect nature, and designed in homage to the great
Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto, with wood slat finishes on the exterior of the
building and undulating wood slat walls, perimeter fencing and common
room ceilings, with clad columns, reminiscent of his 1930’s work.
Winner of the ICF Award for Best-Multi Family Project in North America
The 1.6 hectare site is forested by oak and pine, growing in
sandy soil, stained reddish brown by a high iron content. A
wide sandy beach demarcates the edge between water
and land overlooking the lake.
A palette of materials was chosen to compliment the site’s
natural colour scheme, yet do so with man-made materials,
that rather than polished and refined, represent a rough
industrial aesthetic.
Wood, steel, stone and concrete are
brought inside through the transparency of the voids formed
by large glazed areas separating the three pavilions. Floors
are of natural slate or maple, yielding to wool in bedrooms
and rubber in the gym, while ceilings vary from corrugated
steel, to floating plywood and steel elements hovering below
gypsum board.
Blending of natural and industrial may seem contrary, yet in
northern Ontario, one is born from the other. Redwood cedar
echoes the ruddy sand, the rough textured concrete reminds
one of quarried limestone, exposed steel from the Algoma
mills, all a continuum from the natural, to the man-made.
The cottage is located on the shores of lake Huron, overlooking the passage between the Island and the Mainland. The design intent was to re-create the cottage architecture of the area in the early part of last century, yet with modern conveniences and functionality.
As the cottage will only be utilised in the Summer months, materials susceptible to degradation over the cold and wet winter months, such as drywall, or plaster were not used. Therefore a palette of natural and painted wood, stone and other like durable materials create a warm and inviting home, yet practically impervious to the elements. Walls are clad externally with stained cedar, both boards and shakes, whilst the inside receives at treatment of wood beaded boards and wainscotting on the walls and a mix of natural and painted wood on the ceilings.
The project was runner-up for a Canadian Woodworks Design prize.
The client wished a solution to enjoy their waterfront in all
seasons, that varies from a windy and cold winter’s
environment, to the heat of summer.
The pavilion consists of a large ‘floating’ canopy suspended
above a glass and stone ‘box’, placed upon an urban shore
along the St. Mary’s River. The pavilion’s materiality reflects
that of the residence adjacent, the landscape and the
waterside location.
The high canopy was placed so that it
provides needed protection from the sun, but also at a care-
fully established height to minimize the impact of its structure
on the views to the other shore. The ‘glass box’ below
contains glazed panels that recess into the structure and
can be exchanged for a screen door assembly dependent
on the weather conditions.
The pavilion has been used to host a winter’s evening snow
and ice party, as well as cocktails on a summer’s afternoon,
all with aplomb and elegance.
An example of a small project that produced stellar results for the client. The cellar is divided into three distinct areas, a tasting cellar, preparation area and a chilled zone for white wine.
The ceiling was designed to be vaulted to replicate those of ancient Europe and lighting that emphasizes the shape and intimacy of the space.
Currently in design, this residence also contains a separate
professional practice office for the owner.
The ‘street’ side contains the garage and office entrances,
whilst the ‘private’ side at the rear, places its focus to the
rear where it is sited overlooking a 20 metre deep ravine.
The project uses enhanced ICF insulated block and newly
available high performance thermal glass units for the build-
ing shell.
Construction is slated to commence later this year.