EQUESTRIAN HOUSE

EQUESTRIAN HOUSE

This project revolves around three major concerns: (1) A major renovation/addition to a large architectural J-shaped 1970s rural house; (2) The complete re-design of an existing outdoor pool; (3) A “Master Plan” for the entire property, which also allows for a major equestrian program (a parallel project).

The fundamental challenge with the existing house, was that its main living space (ground floor) did not directly connect to its lower level (basement) outdoor space, directly adjacent to the pool. Essentially, to reach the kitchen from poolside, one had to walk through the exercise room (basement) and then proceed upstairs, which proved to be highly impractical.

Programmatically, the house is split into two segments: One side contains the main residential living spaces and bedrooms, while the other side consists of the garage and a professional medical office.

The proposed design demolishes the existing living space (ground floor) and lower level exercise room (basement) and replaces both with one large living space that leads from the main entrance foyer (ground floor) at grade to a stairway, which leads down to an open concept kitchen/living/dining space (basement), adjacent to the pool. The unusual triangular shape of the addition’s roof is abstracted from a horse’s head – a nod to the owner’s passion for all things equestrian.

The office for the homeopathic doctor (ground floor) is placed next to the three-car garage on the house’s south side. Adjacent to the garage, is an area which contains a stone walled, tree-lined car parking area, which extends into an adjacent outdoor trellised court. This outdoor court offers waiting space to patients, from spring to fall, allowing for the enjoyment of seasonal change.

LOCATION: Caledon, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects

DESIGN LEADERSHIP: Michael Poitras,
Principal-in-Charge of Design

CLIENT: Withheld

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 2
  • Total floor area:
    9,500 ft2 (883 m2)

MATERIALS:

  • Dry-stacked limestone (wood stone)
  • Vertical tongue & groove cedar siding (dark grey)
  • Spanish cedar wood windows & doors
  • Black zinc standing seam roofs
  • DensDeck soffits (white)
  • White stucco cladding
  • White Carrara marble walls
  • Cherry hardwood floors

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Open concept living/dining/kitchen
  • Master bedroom + ensuite/sauna
  • 2 bedrooms + ensuites
  • 1 guest bedroom + ensuite
  • 2 offices
  • 2 washrooms
  • Wine cellar
  • Craft room + storage room
  • 5 fireplaces

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: Project