Location: Mulmur, ON
Architect: Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.
Date of Completion: 2017

OAA Design Excellence Awards Finalist

This new residence was designed for a family of five living in the meadow landscape of Mulmur, Ontario. The challenge posed to the architect was to frame and clarify the essential character of the landscape while remaining respectful to the property’s agricultural past. The architecture seeks to provide structure to the experience of being in the meadow landscape. The design mediates between various scales, providing smaller intimate spaces as well as grand open spaces for social occasions. The large, open windows and large roof planes extend the inside outward to the meadow.

Plan and section of the building
Drawing Credit: Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.

Plan and section of the building
Drawing Credit: Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.

View to east from pool deck
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons

The building is positioned as part of the edge of the meadow, a non-intrusive object within the landscape. The building completes the north-west corner of the meadow, becoming part of the fabric with the forest to the west and the escarpment to the north. 

North view across meadow to the house
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons

From the meadow showing master bedroom/pool terrace
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons

The project has a high-performance envelope and low-energy mechanical system, offering low life cycle cost. The green roof planted with native planting requires no supplemental watering; it increases the life of the roof membrane and improves infiltration onsite. High-performance, triple-glazed windows are oriented for winter solar gain and are operable for natural ventilation.

View east from pool deck
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons

Main room looking east
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons

This project is part of a series based on the concept that placemaking is most effectively achieved through engaging the piece of architecture with its landscape. The pursuit allows the essence of a landscape’s character to be revealed within the context of Ontario’s often undramatic conditions. Architecture is not an object, but rather the lens that reveals the subtleties of its situated landscape, the spirit of place.

3. Descending to entry 4. Through carport to entry court 5. Mudroom view to north 6.Ascending north passage 7. Entry to main room - view of meadow represented
Photo Credit: Matthew MacKay-Lyons