Raised wood platform deck with lounge chairs with concrete path to large sliding doors to enter the house.
Dusk view of the south facing elevation with large sliding doors and windows. Soft glow comes from within the house with sunset beyond.
Bespoke wood millwork closet with vertical grain pattern and long wood handles. Built in wood desk and shelves beside tall, white linen curtains.
Dining room detail view with irregular shaped eggplants on the table. Green wood buffet cabinet with candlesticks, face sculpture and pot with red branches.
Kitchen with tall wood cabinets at left side with panelled fridge and floating base cabinets and upper shelf at right side with black granite counters and sink facing a large sliding door with view to the exterior.
Exterior sitting area with dining table, lounge chair and firepit under wood pergola with slats overhead. Soft lighting comes from the interior Kitchen and Living Room beyond with views of rammed earth walls and wood millwork. Rock garden surrounds .
Dining table with terracotta linen tablecloth and art deco wood chairs. Rattan cone pendant lighting and pastel painting on wall behind. Wood wall panels and concrete floors.
Close up view of custom ash wood door and frame within light grey rammed earth walls. Circular door handle.
Bed with cushioned headboard, round wood and white marble nightstand. Clay vase with daisy flowers. Dark grey microcement and rammed earth walls. View through shower glass beyond.
Covered black metal carport with wood ash posts. Vintage car. Wood pergola with slats overhead frames the path to the front door of the house. Rock garden surrounds.
Living Room with concrete floors, rammed earth walls and black metal ceiling. Brown leather couch with layered rugs. White marble round coffee table with pot of white flowers. Round wood side table. Tall white curtains beyond.
Primary closet space with tall, custom wood closet doors with integrated wood handles. Round off-white ottoman and tall glass floor vase with grasses. Concrete floors and light grey rammed earth walls. Clear glass with black frames to enclose shower.
Exterior rammed earth wall with one tall window. Flat roof residence with black metal detailing. Raised wood platform for lounge chairs. Dusk sky.

With passive design principles, this minimal home was designed as a restful retreat offering connection to the remote and wild landscape of its location, close to Lake Ontario. The monolithic and textural walls are combined with bespoke millwork to provide functionality and privacy in an efficient footprint.

Floor to ceiling wood finishes sourced from local felled ash trees are juxtaposed with natural-grey earthen walls to ensure the striking appearance of this home remained a true expression of the surrounding landscape.

The overall lifespan of the house as well as low operational and embodied energy were important considerations. Using rammed earth construction, an ancient method of building, we created a structure that can sustain centuries of future use. We selected long-lasting, high quality products and locally sourced finishes that are neutral and timeless.

Architecture + Interiors: Vosjes Architecture

Photography: Brooke Stephenson, @foundmythrill
Rammed Earth: Aerecura Sustainable Builders
Construction Management: Chris Walcott
Landscape: Kate Crothers Design
Millwork: Rabbit Hole Woodworking, Two Degrees North