Forest Retreat House for Casual, Comfortable Space by Kariouk Architects

Date of Publishing: May 7, 2022

Contents

Architecture Design of Forest Retreat House

Description About The Project

Forest Retreat House designed by Kariouk Architects in Caledon, Canada to create a rustic, modern retreat for a large, young family. Indeed, the creation of this 800 square metre (exclude terraces and garage) home has been a fantastic journey due to possibilities constrained by zoning restrictions and pragmatics like size and privacy.

In addition to this, to avoid cutting trees, the home placed on an existing cleared ridge overlooking a wildflower meadow. Besides, the home heated and cooled via a geothermal unit with summer solar gain reduced by significant roof overhangs. The glass walls are triple pane, and high efficiency fixtures and equipment for the well and septic system help reduce the home’s environmental impact.

In this house, the garage, bathrooms, stairs, and pantry grouped inside, and appear to hold up the dynamic roof. Steel construction was chosen to avoid using the expected material of heavy timber for this forest getaway. Also, being cognizant of the clients’ desire for a warm interior, it was also important to avoid modernist tendencies for box like forms. Because the main floor lifted above the ground and the topography falls away, the main floor is in the treetops while simultaneously fill the lower recreation area with light.

A contemporary approach to warmth and closeness. Hence, the continuous space of the home, with only bedrooms and bathrooms closed off, is a layout that underscores closeness. The family areas and parents’ areas are on the main level. Also, the kids’ bedrooms bundled into a single slate clad volume. Suspended like a cocoon above the main floor from a 40’ steel beam and accessed by a catwalk.

The Architecture Design Project Information:

Project Name: Forest Retreat House
Location: Caledon, Canada
Project Year: 2021
Area: Forest Retreat
Designed by: Kariouk Architects

Forest Retreat House for Casual, Comfortable Space by Kariouk Architects

Indeed, the most powerful aspect of the design of this Forest Retreat House is the long, undulating, tent-like roof, which roughly follows the topography and describes the continuous space inside.

The Forest Retreat House Gallery:

Text by the Architects: The clients for this project live abroad and sought a Canadian homestead — an anchor — for their large, young family. During the summer and winter holidays, the parents wanted their children immersed in an Ontario landscape like the one in which they were raised. To this end, they requested a “rustic, modern retreat” for their 100 acre property of forest, wetland, and meadows.

Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy| Source: Kariouk Architects

For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: 179 George St., Suite 1204 Ottawa, On K1N 1J8 Canada
– Tel: 613 562 2211
– Email: info@kariouk.com