Ottawa-based architecture firm Kariouk Architects has designed a family retreat defined by its open spaces and close relationship to the landscape in a remote Ontarian forest. 

The home was designed for a large family who wanted a large space for summer and winter holidays that would allow visitors to be comfortable in a remote area for long stays. The clients also wanted the project to promote and be aligned with the surrounding environment. The architects honored this through the house’s visual and material harmonization with its surroundings, responsible material sourcing and site adaptation, and energy-saving systems. Most notably, almost all of the natural habitat of the 100-acre property was preserved.

A primary objective of the retreat’s design was to achieve a contemporary approach to warmth and the avoidance of modernist box-like forms. This is evident in the continuous space of the home, where only bedrooms and bathrooms are closed off. 

The house stands out through its long, copper-clad, tent-like roof, which follows the site’s topography. At the entry side of the house, the roof lifts from the garage volume, providing shelter for an outdoor terrace. The roof also functions to shape views towards the forest.

This project’s contemporary design elements were driven largely by human craftsmanship. It incorporates a significant use of exposed steel fittings fabricated by local tradespeople and custom-made panels for walls and ceilings by local woodworkers. 

In addition to habitat preservation, the architects included a variety of sustainable design approaches for the home. The use of highly durable and locally-sourced materials, robust construction methods, custom craftsmanship, and practical design aims to maximize the retreat’s lifespan, thus, reducing its carbon footprint. 

In addition, the roof is well insulated and the glass walls are triple-pane, which reduces energy loss. The roof’s deep overhang reduces passive solar gain in the summer, as well. The home is heated and cooled using a geothermal heat pump, and the fixtures and septic system are high-efficiency, which ensures a responsible use of water.