FOREST HOUSE I

FOREST HOUSE I

This small, one-storey timber and split-faced concrete block home sits on a 1.6 acre clearing in the forest, just north of Baxter, Ontario. Its design, a sloped roof running the entire length of the house, was inspired by the forest itself, the single slope mimicking a fallen tree, which results in a dramatic 15’ high ceiling at the living room and a cozy, 8’ high ceiling at the master bedroom/ensuite. In order to take advantage of as much solar gain as possible, the house was located within the clearing’s northern limits -its sunniest spot – the area that receives the most solar gain.

Designed as a rectangle divided into two halves, with bedrooms to the west and kitchen/dining/living to the east (the arrival side) complete with a recessed entrance porch placed between the two halves, a clear arrangement for living is established. Windowless service rooms are placed on the home’s northern side, acting as a buffer to cold winter weather, while its southern side opens with floor-to-ceiling glazing and a clear view to the property’s park-like setting, thereby completing a perfect solar diagram. By overhanging the roof a full 7’ beyond the outside face of the southern facade, the steeply angled hot summer sun (71°) is prevented from entering the house and overheating it, while allowing the less inclined winter sun (29°) to enter the house and warm its interiors on cold days.

LOCATION: Utopia, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects

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

CLIENT: Withheld

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 1
  • Ground floor area:
    1,660 ft2 (154 m2)
  • Basement floor area (finished):
    650 ft2 (60 m2)
  • Total floor area:
    2,310 ft2 (214 m2)

MATERIALS:

  • Horizontal tongue & groove cedar siding
  • Split-faced concrete block
  • Spanish cedar wood windows & doors
  • Galvalume flashing
  • Douglas fir posts & beams
  • Maple hardwood floors

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Open concept living/dining/kitchen
  • Master bedroom + ensuite
  • 2 bedrooms
  • 1 washroom
  • Office
  • 1 inglenook fireplace
  • Family room + fireplace (basement)

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: 1998