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Collection by Caroline Wallis
Editor’s Pick

A Family Builds Their Dream Modern Home Overlooking the Georgian Bay

At 7,110 square feet, the beauty of this dwelling's views is matched by an extensive collection of modern furniture and Hans Wegner pieces.

Often referred to as “the sixth great lake,” the granite-shored Georgian Bay presents a unique geological backdrop for Atelier Kastelic Buffey’s (AKB) two-story home nestled in a boreal landscape. The clients, a family of five, were originally living in Switzerland when Jeff, one of the homeowners, found this site on which he would help develop his future home. The family briefly lived in a preexisting bungalow on the site in order to experience first-hand and then ultimately design for the prevailing wind and sun patterns. This helped the family decide where to place the house on the site, how much they would excavate, and how they would program the house. AKB used a cut-and-fill strategy of excavating the shale bedrock for the house then using the rock to fill a depression near the pond for runoff waste management. The result is a 100-acre home in tune with nature and the family’s needs.

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The front entry opens into a mud room. Each family member has their own cubby for storing shoes, coats, and backpacks. The wood sliding door, seen here, was built from reclaimed barn board. In front of it stands a Chair CH07 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son Shell and Eames Walnut stool from Herman Miller.
The front entry opens into a mud room. Each family member has their own cubby for storing shoes, coats, and backpacks. The wood sliding door, seen here, was built from reclaimed barn board. In front of it stands a Chair CH07 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son Shell and Eames Walnut stool from Herman Miller.
Thanks to the clever placement of a cedar hot tub on the bathroom deck, rinsing off after a dip doesn’t involve dripping water all over the house. The all-marble bathroom features Boffi Minimal Series fixtures.
Thanks to the clever placement of a cedar hot tub on the bathroom deck, rinsing off after a dip doesn’t involve dripping water all over the house. The all-marble bathroom features Boffi Minimal Series fixtures.
Perhaps the family’s biggest priority was their connection to the outdoors. The north-facing facade is almost entirely made up of operable windows with screens for ventilation and—a favorite of Jeff, the family father—listening to the lullabye of cicadas and spring peeper frogs during the summer. The joint living and dining area features a Wishbone chairs by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, a Groundpiece sofa from Flexform, David Weeks' Tripod No. 303 floor lamp, and PP Møbler's Circle Chair and Fruit Table. The latter two are also by Hans Wegner.
Perhaps the family’s biggest priority was their connection to the outdoors. The north-facing facade is almost entirely made up of operable windows with screens for ventilation and—a favorite of Jeff, the family father—listening to the lullabye of cicadas and spring peeper frogs during the summer. The joint living and dining area features a Wishbone chairs by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, a Groundpiece sofa from Flexform, David Weeks' Tripod No. 303 floor lamp, and PP Møbler's Circle Chair and Fruit Table. The latter two are also by Hans Wegner.
From the kitchen—also north-facing—the naked eye can see everything past the cornfields, forest, and beyond. The kitchen and dining areas, aside from making up most of the ground level, provide easy access to the family’s vegetable garden. A custom pendant light designed by AKB and manufactured by Nelson & Garrett hangs above the kitchen island. The floors are white oak.
From the kitchen—also north-facing—the naked eye can see everything past the cornfields, forest, and beyond. The kitchen and dining areas, aside from making up most of the ground level, provide easy access to the family’s vegetable garden. A custom pendant light designed by AKB and manufactured by Nelson & Garrett hangs above the kitchen island. The floors are white oak.
Natural light throughout the house eliminates the need for excessive overhead lighting. The master bedroom features a Pixo Optical LED table lamp, a Halyard chair by Hans Wegner for PP Møbler Flag, and David Weeks' Cement Standing floor lamp.
Natural light throughout the house eliminates the need for excessive overhead lighting. The master bedroom features a Pixo Optical LED table lamp, a Halyard chair by Hans Wegner for PP Møbler Flag, and David Weeks' Cement Standing floor lamp.
A nod to the family’s time in Switzerland, this chalet-like screened porch blends modern Swiss design sensibilities and the traditional architectural style of the Georgian Bay region. AKB explains,“The gabled form was inspired by the Long House, one of the earliest forms of permanent wood structures used in Ontario, which was used by both the First Nations and European settlers to shelter themselves in the harsh winter weather.” A Design Within Reach lounge chair complements the family’s recycled furniture pieces from their original home.
A nod to the family’s time in Switzerland, this chalet-like screened porch blends modern Swiss design sensibilities and the traditional architectural style of the Georgian Bay region. AKB explains,“The gabled form was inspired by the Long House, one of the earliest forms of permanent wood structures used in Ontario, which was used by both the First Nations and European settlers to shelter themselves in the harsh winter weather.” A Design Within Reach lounge chair complements the family’s recycled furniture pieces from their original home.
The lower submerged level is comprised of the kids’ and guest bedrooms as well as the multi-purpose room—is a popular hangout for the kids and family dog, Roxy. The Chair and Bar Bench, both by Hans Wegner for PP Møbler, a Muuto 3-seater sofa by Andersen & Voll, and David Weeks' Tripod No. 303 floor lamp mix midcentury modern with contemporary design.
The lower submerged level is comprised of the kids’ and guest bedrooms as well as the multi-purpose room—is a popular hangout for the kids and family dog, Roxy. The Chair and Bar Bench, both by Hans Wegner for PP Møbler, a Muuto 3-seater sofa by Andersen & Voll, and David Weeks' Tripod No. 303 floor lamp mix midcentury modern with contemporary design.
During the winter, the north-facing hill behind the home transforms into a prime tobogganing slope. With hiking and snow shoe trails, and a pond for swimming and ice skating, the house provides year-round recreation for residents Jeff and Kara’s kids. Jeff explains that he and Kara are eventually planning to do more landscaping, but want to sit with the house for a few more years to better understand what the family’s long-term needs and hobbies will be.
During the winter, the north-facing hill behind the home transforms into a prime tobogganing slope. With hiking and snow shoe trails, and a pond for swimming and ice skating, the house provides year-round recreation for residents Jeff and Kara’s kids. Jeff explains that he and Kara are eventually planning to do more landscaping, but want to sit with the house for a few more years to better understand what the family’s long-term needs and hobbies will be.