Photographer: Félix Michaud
Architecture: Peter Braithwait Studio (Peter Braithwait, Abby Lawson, Lucien Landry)
Featuring an s16-H 58
Known for its outdoor activities, Trent Hills offered clear architectural inspiration for this project. The region features rolling hills, Carolinian forests, sprawling farmland and scenic waterways. Perched near the top of one of these hills, Silver Heights frames the surrounding landscape and its breathtaking views.
For the young family, creating a strong connection between the home and its surroundings was essential. The architecture serves as both a viewing platform and a place to unwind. Visitors begin their journey along a meandering path through the trees. The path leads to a Corten-clad entry portal and stair, then continues through a corridor oriented toward the landscape. It ends at a partially raised platform, reinforcing the feeling of being fully connected to the land.
The main volume reinterprets the traditional hipped roof in a contemporary way. It rests on a stereotomic plinth that extends the interior living spaces. Vaulted ceilings and carefully placed openings fill the home with natural light. They also promote effective natural ventilation throughout the building.
The material palette highlights the home’s three distinct elements: the concrete plinth, the black metal main volume, and the weathered steel stair and entry portal. Each material provides lasting durability against Ontario’s changing climate. Eastern white cedar adds warmth and a soft tactile quality to the outdoor living spaces.
Pender Island (System 01) showcasing an s16-cube 78 The Backcountry Hut Company’s System 01 Prefabricated Single-Storey Cabin celebrates notions of rustic wilderness living inspired by the spirit of Canadian outdoor culture. Nestled within the wooded cliffs of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, this cabin is a serene retreat for those ready to explore. System 01 is based […]
Christina Richardson swears she’s been an architect and designer since birth, recalling an intense interest in color, space, and design as early as 5 or 6 years old. “I loved walking into other people’s houses. When I’d get home, I’d redraw the floor plans, tweaking the spaces by shifting the walls or swapping colors,” she […]
