“We wanted the house to “sit” on the natural contours and vegetation of the site allowing the building float above the land rather then digging its way into it.”
The Story
This new residence is located on the Ottawa River and is located on a fully treed and heavily slopped property 40′ above the water line of the Ottawa River. The design addresses its environment by incorporating and reducing its impacts on the characteristics of the site by using the natural contours of the land, retaining the natural wild landscaping under the structure and orientating the building to take advantage of natural summer cooling and winter heating. This modern sustainably focused lake front home was oriented on the site to take advantage of its southern exposure while also enhancing the view lines to the Ottawa River and distant Gatineau hills.
Sustainable Elements
- “Rammed Earth” wall central core
- Fly-Ash Concrete siding
- Green Roof
- Radiant in floor heating
- Heating and cooling with Heat pump system
- On site water retention and pervious walkways / laneways
- Natural vegetation retention and landscaping
- Passive cooling stack effect openings in central core and shading devises
- Passive solar heat gains – solar exposure of rammed earth walls (heat retention)
- Efficient building footprint area