Nestled into the Canadian Shield, Birdhouse aspires to a purity of form whose power lies in flawless proportions, monochromatic materials, and exquisite modesty. The charcoal-coloured, pitched-roof design comes into view through a procession of trees that simultaneously conceal and reveal the home.
Early inspiration was drawn from birdhouses found throughout the property. These nesting cavities — simple in shape and purpose — informed our objectives: to create a refuge for spiritual nourishment and social connection, forthright in form and function, that communicates directly with nature while protecting from the elements.
Leveraging the topography of the windswept site, we inserted a compact, two-storey family cottage into the Precambrian outcropping, optimizing the home’s program, resilience, and ability to shelter from the elements. The home is clad in locally sourced Shou Sugi Ban cedar — a weather-proofing technique that prevents decay and promotes longevity — and unique board-formed concrete manufactured using rough-sawn lumber.
Birdhouse is an exercise in the disappearing act of minimalist design. The white oak panels that unfold and soar across the interiors were fabricated and installed to achieve a seamless effect, emphasizing craftsmanship and formal integrity while optimizing functionality, concealing storage and systems while strategically integrating vents, grills, and light sources to cast ambient illumination.
The home’s compact form maximizes surface area-to-volume ratio, minimizing heat loss and gain, while the highperformance envelope reduces energy usage and increases occupant comfort. Zoned mechanical and in-floor radiant heating systems, combined with the thermal mass created by the concrete floor, promote targeted temperature control, supplementing the passive and cross-ventilation strategy. The triple-glazed, lake-facing windows can be opened to take advantage of seasonal wind patterns, while skylights create a stack effect, drawing air up through the double-height space. A high-efficiency wood stove offers supplementary heating in the winter and maintains excellent indoor air quality.
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