Peninsula House

Peninsula House sits on the rocky western shore of the Bruce Peninsula. It is a modern Scandinavian-inspired retreat in the woods. The owners wanted a hideaway from the city where they could work remotely and enjoy the quiet of nature, as well as the option to rent it out as short-term accommodation.

The site comprises three buildings: house, garage, and a standalone office/sauna pavilion. The buildings are delicately placed to compliment the site, sitting perpendicular to the waterfront and set back from the shore. The surrounding forest has space to slip through to the lake and retain its prominence at the water’s edge. Maintaining the forest-to-lake corridor and protecting as many trees as possible were guiding principles for this project.

Like all current Solares project, this home has a super energy-efficient building envelope and is equipped with all-electric mechanical systems.

Arrival to Peninsula House begins with a cedar-clad garage, beyond which lies the 2,250-square foot main house and separate 380-square foot office/sauna building. Between these buildings are stone terraces, pathways, an outdoor shower, and a lake-view deck nestled where forest meets shore.

The exteriors are minimal, with a play of light and dark among the trees. Lightness is brought by the house and garage, clad in unfinished cedar shake that will weather to grey over time. In contrast, shadow is represented by the small black box of the office, tucked in the woods.

The main entrance of the house provides a landing zone, powder room, and storage room separated from the common areas by the main stair, which is turned perpendicular to the main axis of the house.

The Great Room is the heart of this home, with one open space encompassing a large kitchen, dining room, and living room. A wood-burning fireplace is set into one corner, providing ambiance and back up heat in the event of a power failure.

Past the Great Room is a wood deck open to the sky, which steps gently down to a stone terrace. A screened porch sits on the north side of the house, which uses the Weather Wall system: clear vinyl panels that can be pulled down over the screens to provide extra protection from the elements.

Upstairs is a grand cathedral ceiling over the stairs with a large north skylight flooding the hall with light. On one side of the stairs is a laundry room and a guest room, both with forest views. On the opposite side is a bunk room with four beds, and a luxurious shared bathroom with a soaker tub inside a large, glassed-in shower space.

The primary suite is the most private space of the home, tucked behind the bunk room through a passageway that serves as a walk-in-closet. The entire suite faces west over the treetops, soaking in beautiful Lake Huron sunsets.

The separate office and sauna building is a single-storey structure nestled in the trees. There is space for two side-by-side desks and a comfortable sitting area. A large window over the desks faces the lake. Next to the office is a fully equipped Finnish sauna. The interior is a complete kit made to order for the 100-square foot space by Sauna Specialist.

Due to high bedrock, the buildings are all pinned to the rock instead of more typical foundations. The lack of a basement combined with the higher tornado risk in this part of Ontario led to the creation of a tornado shelter built into the garage. One corner of the space is completely boxed in with concrete and equipped with a steel door. Preparedness on the property is further realized with a backup propane generator.

Built by McNair Construction
Custom cabinetry by Swede
Windows by Inline Fiberglass through Chateau Windows and Doors

Photography by Nanne Springer
Drone images by Frédéric Arthur Chabot