Staycation House

Opposite attract

Our clients came to us with two distinct needs: a home that would allow them to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the outdoors, and a design that would satisfy their zest for entertaining. The result was an ingenious Net-Zero Passive House on a secluded lakefront property, designed with distinct private and public zones.

A golden retriever dog lying on a beige carpet in a living room, with a green potted plant, a brick fireplace, and a chair with a white furry pillow in the background.
View of a deck with outdoor furniture and a lake in the distance, seen through large sliding glass doors from inside a room.

The rugged site was densely treed and steep, and our initial design work focused on making the form and position of the building follow the topography, minimizing excavation costs and limiting removal of healthy trees.

Living room with a stone fireplace, two blue armchairs, a fluffy cream-colored chair, plants, and decorations on shelves. A dog is sitting in front of the fireplace. Large window on right side letting in natural light.
A wooden deck with three Adirondack chairs in red and blue, overlooking a forest and a body of water, with a house wall and window on the left side.

The common living areas and secluded master bedroom suite occupy the sunny upper level of the house, capitalizing on expansive views of the lake and the forest. A generous covered deck extends the living area and is the perfect spot to gather (or curl up solo) to watch the sun set over the lake.

With an open concept living room, dining room and kitchen, a pantry is essential to keep the main space clutter-free. The laundry room and mudroom, complete with doggy shower, are located outside of the Passive House envelope in a vestibule connecting the house to the attached garage.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, island with two brown stools, wooden flooring, pendant lights, and a wooden beam on the ceiling.

‍A quick trip downstairs leads to a common great room and bar area with direct access to the lake, as well as three private bedrooms and two baths. A perfect retreat for guests. Durable polished concrete floors brighten the lower level, contributing to a relaxed atmosphere.

‍Timbers, salvaged from a decommissioned sawmill belonging to a family friend, were repurposed to amplify the connection to the forest and provide texture to the materials palette inside and out. Oak hardwood flooring from Torlys was a perfect complement to the recycled wood elements.

The final result is a stunning net-zero, passive home (courtesy of a rooftop solar photovoltaic array), complete with gorgeous views and the very best outdoor living experience.

Interior of a modern home with a white door with a glass panel on the left, a white wall, and a staircase with wood and black metal railing on the right. The ceiling has a black and white ceiling light, and the wall has a black wall sconce. There is a window on the right side of the wall.
Kitchen with wooden flooring, open shelving with cups, mugs, and glasses, a window with a plant on the sill, and appliances like a toaster oven and kettle.

Location: Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia
Type: New Residential Passive House
Structural Consulting: Doncaster Engineering
Contractor: Sunbuilt Contracting
Interior Design: Fine Interiors kitchen: Kvadro
Passive House Support: Passive Design Solutions
Photography: Matthew McMullen

A bedroom with large windows showing trees and water outside, a bed with pink and cream pillows, a blanket, and a wooden floor.
A bright room with large windows showing a lake and tall trees outside. There is a wooden chair with a blue cushion and a colorful blanket draped over it, and wood flooring.
Golden retriever sitting on a grooming table inside a laundry room with black subway tile walls and two washer and dryers.