HOUSE

During the winter, the family can slide the screens open to let in the winter sun, in summer they can close the screens to provide shade, while still maintaining views and breezes through the timber battens.

Like the windows, the front door is also a square.

Using wood as the primary building material imbues an aesthetic warmth to the structure. It's also cost-effective, considering the abundance of Canada's natural timber resources and strong local carpentry trade. Photo by Shai Gil.

Cook Park Amenities (Fox Johnston: Sydney, Australia) When was the last time you saw a public restroom worthy of an award? A series of these gently curving structures, boasting timber battened skin, now dot the Cook Park beachfront and have been credited with making the area more accessible.

A bathroom skylight increases the sense of space.

The house was conceived as a summer home, to take advantage of the sounds, breezes, views and lighting – even in the shower. Courtesy Architects and Artisans.

In the shower, handmade Bubble Hex tile from the Futura collection at the Portland–based company Clayhaus Tile makes a stunning statement.

Bathroom

The master suite opens to a bathroom with soaking tubs that overlook south-facing views.

The new house provides the family with an additional 1,400 square feet of functional space.

A bathroom skylight brings in additional natural light.

The 57-foot panoramic window was inspired by traditional "Engawa" houses in Japan. Koolhaas preserved its minimalistic aesthetic by camouflaging the supporting wood beam in white laminate and nestling it in the space just beneath the ceiling. He also kept the beam small by installing a tree-like column to help carry the weight of the second floor and roof. "The actual tree that was used for it came out of the garden," the architect says. "In this way, the small forest in the garden continues into the house."