The team at Studio Moffitt was inspired by the beautiful landscape on their latest project entitled “The House on Limekiln Line” located in Huron County, Ontario, Canada.
As explained on their website, Studio Moffitt is a “research-led design practice” run by Lisa Moffitt, a lecturer in Architectural Design at the University of Edinburgh. Through design, teaching, and research, Studio Moffitt explores the material and meteorological exchanges between buildings and their interior and exterior environments. Their practice focuses on the relationship between material and immaterial buildings, and landscapes.
The house on Limekiln line is an off-grid private residence, located on a 25 acre farm lot, in rural Huron County. The property is modest in size, using only 85 square metre in space, while its unique modern design is just enough to act as a datum to the constant flux of surroundings projects – which include daily changes in weather conditions which directly impacts cultivation.
The carefully calibrated design includes large cutout windows that allow for ample views of the gorgeous landscape surrounding the home, which opens up the small residence and creates visual expansion. The triple glazed windows are highly efficient at insulating the home, and offer cross ventilation and stack effect heat purging when needed.
Built with sustainability in mind, the home uses several other high efficiency features, which include: 1) a south deck overhang that blocks the summer sun, while allowing the winter sun to heat the concrete thermal mass floor, and 2) a modest amount of high efficiency appliances.
Equally important is the uniqueness in the way the property was built. Lead by Peter Long Construction, the home was completed by local farmers who have agricultural building practices. The farmers used materials that were locally sourced, such as galvanized steel.
This contemporary farm house has been fitted with polished concrete floors, and a gorgeous sculptural free standing upper level that frames the kitchen. This design is unique and gives the home a modern twist through the use of shapely cut outs and steel fencing.
The dialogue between local craftsmen and Studio Moffitt is important, and lends itself to a new Canadian vernacular: the home was constructed by locals, using materials common to local architecture, which ensured that the home will be rooted in traditional practice, and convention of place. But, in working with Studio Moffitt, the local community was also exposed to innovative and modern design methods and practice.
The house on Limekiln Line by Studio Moffitt is an admirable piece of Canadian architecture. Embracing the landscape, filtering sustainability, and creating a familiar yet distinctive form with ‘Place’, this magical dwelling is a testament to thoughtful design.
To see more projects and to read more about their research, visit Studio Moffitt.
Photos courtesy of Gabriel Li and Shai Gil
Researched and written by Amanda Salmon, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduate from the Alberta College of Art and Design.
