Perched magnificently on a New Brunswick hilltop, the enchanting hilltop cottage designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects captivates with its innovative design. What appears as a solid, monolithic block transforms dramatically when its sliding doors open, making an entire corner vanish without steel supports. This 600-square-foot structure overlooks a breathtaking river valley, marking a cherished engagement site for the owners.
An Enchanting Hilltop Cottage with Historic Roots
The initial impression of solidity is cleverly crafted through the use of sliding barn doors that conceal all external openings. Clad in shingles, this charming retreat doesn’t reveal its secrets until those doors slide aside. The structure’s hipped roof and robust walls echo the durability of Scottish shielings and Irish tower houses, grounding the design firmly in historical vernaculars.
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Built on a sturdy foundation of local field stone, the cottage feels deeply rooted in its environment. Glazed wood doors add an element of lightness, allowing for a transformative experience when the doors retract: the north corner opens to seamlessly integrate the interior with the surrounding landscape.
Designing Beyond Conventional Boundaries
With its core design concept taking inspiration from Charles Moore’s 1962 Orinda House, the small cottage features two vaulted skylights that enhance its interior space. This clever adaptation keeps the structure compact yet expansive in feel. The design also draws parallels with the studio’s Bigwin Cabin, using familiar elements like deep roof overhangs.
Similarly, architectural innovation shines in Armando Cabral’s fusion of traditional crafts into modern design pieces.
The substantial walls—four feet thick—house key functional areas such as the hearth, kitchen, and storage spaces, following strategies used in the studio’s previous projects like the Morris House and El Aleph Guest House.
Material Harmony and Historical Echoes
Encased in eastern white cedar shingles, mitred at the corners, the retreat’s skin projects unity and elegance. This approach is reminiscent of Baillie Baillie’s Iorram cottage in the Scottish Highlands, where materials like thick clay-block walls and Douglas fir tie new constructions to a rich historical tapestry.
Indeed, the studio embraces a guiding philosophy from Octavio Paz: “Taken alone, tradition stagnates, and modernity vaporizes.” This project exemplifies that synergy, as its stone foundation supports a roofline inspired by age-old Scottish traditions, while fostering an ever-open connection to the picturesque valley of the captivating cottage.
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects‘ creation redefines what it means to harmonize past and present. Thanks to its timeless design, crafted with local materials, the cottage stands as a modern sanctuary rooted in the narratives of its landscape.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the hilltop cottage achieve its innovative design?
The cottage appears as a solid block that transforms dramatically when its sliding doors open, making an entire corner vanish without steel supports. It also features vaulted skylights and deep roof overhangs inspired by Charles Moore’s Orinda House.
What historical influences are present in the cottage’s design?
The cottage’s hipped roof and robust walls echo the durability of Scottish shielings and Irish tower houses. Additionally, its stone foundation and roofline draw from age-old Scottish traditions.
What materials are used in the construction of the cottage?
The cottage is clad in eastern white cedar shingles, mitred at the corners. It is built on a foundation of local field stone, and the thick walls house functional areas like the hearth and kitchen.