This striking addition was designed for a family of birdwatchers—but if you had a pair of binoculars in hand, it would be pretty hard to resist turning them on the project itself. With its wing-like design and angular vernacular, this cedar-clad structure calls to mind a sparrow in flight (at least to an architecture nerd).

It’s the work of Ottawa-based 25:8 Architecture and lead architect Jay Lim. Though the homeowners (a pair of civil servants) simply asked the firm to replace a sagging carport with a small extension, Lim pushed them to set their sights higher: How did they actually envision using the space? What did they actually like to do?

When they mentioned their favorite pastime, it “kicked everything off,” says Lim. The house is located on the edge of a National Capital Commission park (which is preserved and protected by the Canadian government), so feathered friends are constantly passing by. “The family has so many binoculars,” Lim says with a laugh.

The 25:8 team began sketching birds in flight, and found ample inspiration in their movement. Now, a V-shaped steel column supports a 400-square-foot volume that mimics the shape of a wing in motion. It delicately touches the ground, then widens out at the top. (This stylistic choice also serves a practical function, allowing the family to stow their paddleboards out of sight on the ceiling of the carport behind the widest part of the column.)

The front elevation has a tall window that fills a yoga area with plenty of natural light. A sliding screen provides a bit more privacy when the family wants it, and protects that window when they’re shooting hoops on the driveway.

A balcony that runs along the eastern and northern sides of the building provides a generous lookout—but for sneakier bird-spotting, there’s a blind that provides views to the treetops through a narrow window. Because it turns out, when you’re happily perched in such a beautiful nest, “the birds watch you too,” says Lim.

Related Reading:

Bird-Watchers Will Be Flying High Once This Stunning Tower Is Complete

One Family’s Cabin Retreat in Washington Takes Inspiration From a Native Bird

A Fantastic Egg-Shaped Camping Pod Along the Loire Estuary

Project Credits:

Architecture, Landscape Design, Interior Design: 25:8 Architecture + Urban Design / @25_8_architecture

Builder, General Contractor, Cabinetry: Treestone Construction

Structural Engineer: Capacity Engineering

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In Ottawa, a Dilapidated Carport Becomes a Perfect Perch for Birdwatching