StudioAC Looks to Canadian Farmyard Buildings with "Devil's Glen" Home
Complete with a sky-gazing platform.
Canadian architecture practice StudioAC has completed a metal-clad home on the Bruce Peninsula, which features an intentionally minimal exterior and interior design.
Inspired by farm buildings, the project – named Devil’s Glen – pays homage to its surroundings, and makes the most of the surrounding natural landscape. The architects kicked off the process with a picnic on the site, which is located a few hours north of Toronto. During that conversation, it became apparent that the focus needed to remain on the site rather than the building itself, with elements taking inspiration from the expansive sky, vast treetop views, and azure waters.
“The design began with two fixations, one having the house sited true to North, South, East, and West, to take advantage of the solar path throughout the day, the view to the water, and to avoid disturbing as much of the natural habitat as possible,” the team said. “The second fixation was to have the roofscape act as a device to shape light, levels of intimacy, and vantage points to the treetops, water, and sky beyond.”
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
Felix Michaud
With this in mind, the architects built the home around two “linear bars”, which are clad in galvanized metal and feature pitched roofs ready for the heavy snowfall. Inside, one section contains the sleeping quarters while the other functions as an open-plan living space. As with its exterior, much of the interior design is free from color or detail, with simple white paint and plywood allowing for the sunlight to create natural patterns across the walls and floors throughout the day.
A key detail of the design, though, is a sky-gazing platform, which sees a netted hammock suspended within the eaves of the house and offers views of the treetops during the day, while making a perfect spot for stargazing at night.
Take a look around Devil’s Glen above, and for more design – check out this community dining hall designed for a remote Scottish island.
