Drawing from the client brief and the local vernacular architecture, this modern farmhouse takes its design cues from the client’s connection to the surrounding site; they are avid gardeners with an established food forest who have ambitious plans to harvest, store, and process food. The client’s desire to extend the gardening season throughout the year meant the greenhouse included in their brief is an integral part of the project.

The home is sited to maximize its southern exposure and wrap around a protected exterior courtyard. It is comprised of three separate volumes that extend towards the river. The first volume houses a two-storey storage, while the central volume that extends into the greenhouse contains the private and functional elements of the home including home offices, primary bedroom suite, and an accessible ground floor washroom. This central volume is connected by a glazed link to the third volume containing the common spaces, including the kitchen and living/dining rooms on the ground floor and a guest suite with mezzanine on the second floor. The double-height living room visually extends into the landscape with views through a full-height, open-corner window, and the dining room opens directly onto the courtyard.

All materials were chosen for durability and ease of maintenance, and the design palette is in keeping with the tones of the landscape—wheat, soft greys, and wood. A highly insulated envelope will keep the heat in during the winter and retain the cool in the summer months. Geothermal and photovoltaic systems will provide heating, cooling, and power for this largely self-sustaining home.