This Family Home in Ontario Sits Between Field and Forest

The Ridge House by Superkül is built to take full advantage of the surrounding landscape, and give its owners a sense of privacy.

Writer Charlotte Boates

In Ontario’s scenic Grey County, Toronto-based architecture practice Superkül has designed a house in tune with its landscape, built for clients seeking a “tranquil home that blurs inside and outside.”

Ridge House‘s distinctive roof is a reminder of the sloped landscape the home is set upon, at the boundary between a field and the edge of a forest. Superkül strategically used the shape of the land for privacy as well as to maximize the views, “optimizing visual and physical connections to the ironwood and pine forest at the edge of the clearing,” as the studio states.

This indoor-outdoor connection is a strong focus throughout the architecture. Skylights along the vaulted ceiling fill the home with ample natural light and bring the outdoors in. The primary bathroom looks onto a courtyard in the centre of the home that provides an added vantage point onto nature. This courtyard is situated where the sloped roof dips and is demarcated by wooden slats, adding additional visual interest.

The clients sought a monochromatic palette, and neutral tones allow the sculptural architecture and natural surroundings to remain focal points. Textural elements in the furnishings, as well as a central indoor fireplace and an outdoor fire pit, provide warmth and comfort.

Sustainability is also central to the architectural approach. Superkül incorporated this by bringing in “passive-first” strategies throughout the home to create an all-season dwelling. Deep-set overhangs shield the east and west elevations from sun in the warmer months, and glass accordion doors admit cool breezes and increased ventilation. In the winter, this overhang allows the lower rays of the winter sun to enter the home, while in-floor heating in the communal spaces provides energy-efficient warmth. A cold-climate heat pump also helps keep carbon consumption low.

High-performance materials were used throughout to ensure the building’s longevity and minimize maintenance. The interiors include millwork stained with a protective low-VOC, water-based coating that absorbs light. On the exterior, the standing seam roof and durable siding protect against Ontario’s harsh elements. The result is a house built with context top-of-mind in every component, allowing for a peaceful family home that can be enjoyed for years to come.