WATER HOUSE

WATER HOUSE

Terminating a long, narrow bay in Toronto’s “cottage country”, this modern house stretches its program horizontally to embrace the sandy shores at the water’s edge.

The concept for this cottage is a two-fold exercise: to create a strong visual architectural presence at the bay’s terminus and to split the cottage into two very different social programs: (1) A quiet primary living space on the elevated ground floor and (2) A noisy recreational outdoor space adjacent to the water (basement level) to accommodate large gatherings of people. This “walkout” basement level extends onto an enormous outdoor poured-in-place concrete patio, complete with an outdoor fireplace, supporting both outdoor dining and living spaces at either end. These outdoor living spaces are sheltered by the elevated cottage above, allowing social events to take place all summer long, even during rainy weather.

Physically supporting the second floor living spaces and roof above, are a series of exposed dark grey steel beams and columns. The roof of the living room gestures upwards and outwards towards the bay, which in turn increases the living room’s spatial dimensions as one moves towards the water, starting at the kitchen. Further, this elevated kitchen/dining/living room provides a sheltered walkway as one travels from boathouse to cottage, making walking to and from the boathouse a pleasant experience in all weather conditions.

LOCATION: MacTier, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects

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

CLIENT: Lisgar Construction Company

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 2
  • Total floor area:
    5,000 ft2 (465 m2)

MATERIALS:

  • Cedar shingle cladding
  • Douglas fir roof joists, deck framing & trim
  • Black aluminum clad wood windows & doors
  • Board formed concrete
  • Black slate floors
  • Elm hardwood floors
  • Black zinc standing seam roofs
  • Exposed steel framing (painted dark grey)

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Open concept living/dining/kitchen
  • Master bedroom/ensuite
  • 2 guest bedrooms/ensuites
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 3 washrooms
  • Family room/bar/games room (finished basement)
  • 2 fireplaces
  • 3-car garage with studio on top
  • 2-boat boathouse with “bunkie,” outdoor deck & hot tub

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: Project