299 Soper place is a home that was reinvented from two century-old stone barns in the historic village of Rockcliffe Park. The design challenge was to add the much needed amenity space while respecting the historic house. Also considered was the creation of an outdoor amenity area and the redefinition of the year yard.
The design echoes the modular components of the original barns by creating a stone pavilion which is expressed on the exterior as well as the interior. The circulation link connecting the new and the old celebrate their independence and their materiality.
The scale of the new pavilion was carefully crafted to remain subservient to the main barns and form an exterior courtyard. The exterior materials were chosen to restrain the scale; the height of the stone walls reflect the existing stone walls on the property and copper is used as a roofing material.
In response to the owner’s desires and the physical parameters of the project, our design sought to achieve three qualities:
1. Provide both a physical and perceived connection between indoors and outdoors while maintaining privacy
2. Provide a year-round connection between the existing house and the new pavilion
3. Provide flexibility for the addition to be used for i) personal respite, ii) accommodating guests, and, iii) entertaining large groups
The solution is a clear and distinct expression of these priorities.