Christopher Simmonds Architect has designed this four-story contemporary home overlooking the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. An extreme change in grade across the home’s narrow property presented several design challenges. The architects devised a solution that was unconventional, locating the front door on the lower level of this 4,000 square foot dwelling.
Normally this would be a problem, yet thanks to clever ingenuity, a floating staircase, and interconnected floor levels allow people on the main floor to see who is coming to the front door below. The exterior material palette of synthetic stone, cement panel, and wood create contrast, and their congenial composition strongly defines the south facade.
What We Love: This fascinating four-story home features expansive glazing, flooding the interior living spaces with natural light. Clever design details have created a unique layout that not only takes advantage of the site, but also draws on the fantastic views afforded by this home’s location. We are especially loving the main living area, with a soothing color palette and harmonious flow.
Tell Us: What do you think of the overall design? Do you think the architects did a good job of minimizing the scale of this home with the use of materials and the roof design? Let us know your thought in the Comments!
Note: Have a look at a couple of other inspiring home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this project, Christopher Simmonds Architect:
Built-in benches act as a screen and wrap around the terrace providing privacy while maintaining views to the north and west. The terrace features a modern concrete fire pit, completing the outdoor living room.
The open stairwell immediately welcomes visitors into the main floor living area where the kitchen, living and dining areas are located, and floods the space with southern light. The fireplace surround of concrete tile is at the heart of this space.
The main living space has a direct connection to the terrace overlooking the Rideau Canal.
The kitchen, dining and living areas encompass the main level of this home, one floor up from the front door.
The floating landing and open risers allow the south-facing windows to flood the interiors with natural light. The horizontal cable rails and black steel structure are softened by the wood handrail and treads, finished to match the flooring.
The master bedroom on the second floor has sweeping views of the canal and Lansdowne Park beyond. Moving upwards, the view only gets better, and on the third floor, the shallow roof acts as a canopy for the sheltered terrace.
On the opposite side of the home, the roof shape is a modern approach to the mansard roof, designed to moderate the height and mass of the four-story elevation.
The north facade was conceived as two stone masses flanking a wall which consists primarily of glazing, creating a massive bay window.
Photos: Doublespace Photography
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