ESCARPMENT HOUSE II

ESCARPMENT HOUSE II

This 20-plus acre site sits high atop the Niagara Escarpment, boasting breathtaking vistas south, east and west on a continuously sloped hill descending east. Designed for an active young family, this modern residence, although large, is intended to blend quietly into the grassy landscape with its low profile.

Upon arriving at this quiet country property, cars are led into the site via a long, stone wall eventually terminating at a stone walled car court with ample parking space for guests. A two-car garage is placed next to the stone car court for easy parking. From here, one walks down huge, staggered stone steps to the house, which is sited slightly lower than the garage, giving visitors a sensation that they have left the “urban world” far behind.

Conceptually, the house is split into two distinct zones. At grade, an open concept living/dining/kitchen pavilion (pavilion no. 1) sits adjacent to, but separated from, a master bedroom/ensuite pavilion (pavilion no. 2). Aesthetically, these two pavilions are light, open, glassy, rooms that provide clear views of the rolling landscape beyond. Below grade and sunken into the earth is the family room, library, exercise room, sauna, change rooms and three children’s bedrooms. These lower level rooms are meant to exude a warm, slightly dark cave-like atmosphere, with limited openings, very different from the ambience of the open, glassy pavilions at grade.

When looking at the house from the lower level outdoor pool, it appears as if these glassy pavilions are the only visible buildings, whereas at the base of the house (lower level), is a heavily planted stepped Armour Stone boulder mass, which presents itself more like a natural stone landscape, similar to the stone outcroppings typically found within the Niagara Escarpment.

Capping the glass pavilions are black twisted zinc butterfly roofs, inspired by the feeling of flight one gets while observing the many hawks that often soar high overhead and in the distance.

LOCATION: Mulmur, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects

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

CLIENT: Withheld

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 2
  • Ground floor area:
    2,585 ft2 (240 m2)
  • Basement floor area (finished):
    3,980 ft2 (370 m2)
  • Total floor area:
    6,565 ft2 (610 m2)

MATERIALS:

  • Armour stone boulder retaining walls
  • Black zinc walls & roofs
  • Spanish cedar wood windows & doors
  • DensDeck soffits (white)
  • Composite wood decking (grey)
  • Glass guardrails
  • Black slate floors

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Ground Floor:
    • Open concept living/dining/kitchen
      (pavilion no. 1)
    • Master bedroom + ensuite
      (pavilion no. 2)
    • 2 fireplaces
    • Landscaped terrace
    • Detached 2-car garage + studio
      (pavilion no. 3)

  • Basement Floor:
    • Family room/media room
    • 3 bedrooms + ensuites
    • Library
    • Office
    • Exercise room
    • Change room/sauna
    • 1 fireplace
    • Storage
    • Outdoor pool/deck
    • Fire pit

LEED: Silver

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: Project