Toronto-based architectural firm StudioAC has completed the South Bay House, an innovative residential project that redefines rural living through its distinctive design approach. Located on a flat, rural site in Ontario, just a few hours east of Toronto, this striking residence demonstrates how contemporary architecture can harmoniously engage with its natural surroundings while creating dynamic spatial experiences.
The project, led by StudioAC team members Sarah Reid, Mohammad Soroor, Jennifer Kudlats, Andrew Hill, and Jonathan Miura, was constructed by Reeves Fine Homes and captured through the lens of photographer Felix Michaud. The residence sits on a north-facing expanse that offers expansive views of open fields bordered by a delicate grove of trees and a shoreline featuring unique, varied vegetation that became integral to the architectural concept.
Rather than designing a single linear structure, StudioAC proposed an innovative configuration of three "living bars" that intersect and shift across the site. This deliberate design strategy creates a more dynamic interaction with the landscape, generating outdoor microclimates that provide wind protection throughout different seasons while selectively framing views of the surrounding natural environment. These intentional interruptions reshape the experience of both the interior spaces and the outdoor surroundings, offering varied vantage points and creating an evolving spatial narrative that changes as residents move through the home.
A particularly distinctive aspect of the design involves what the architects describe as "landscape" versus "portrait" orientations for the main living spaces. While previous projects by the firm utilized a repeating rectangular grid with the long dimension shared across spaces, this project rotates the rectangular grid so that the short side is shared instead. The resulting 48-foot by 12-foot living area significantly expands the façade facing the view, effectively reducing the perceived distance between interior spaces and the landscape beyond.
This spatial reorientation successfully dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior environments. When residents are seated at the dining table or on the sofa, the proximity to the expansive windows removes architectural obstructions from their peripheral vision, drawing focus entirely outward toward the natural surroundings. The design creates an immersive experience that makes occupants feel more connected to the landscape than would be possible with a traditional rectangular layout.
The roof form comprises three mirrored shed structures that create both functional and aesthetic benefits. At the main living bar, these forms intersect to create protected outdoor spaces under a unified canopy that offers both shelter from the elements and solar shading during peak daylight hours. The resulting roofscape introduces a dynamic topography to what would otherwise be a flat site, inviting the eye to traverse its undulating forms in much the same way one might follow rolling hills or jagged mountain ranges.
This approach successfully balances practical considerations with sculptural energy that enriches both interior and exterior experiences. The bedrooms and living spaces benefit significantly from the expressive geometry, which enhances the sense of volume throughout the home while serving as the project's contemporary reinterpretation of rural vernacular architecture traditions.
The interior design philosophy emphasizes restraint and natural materials. The palette is predominantly clad in plywood, creating warmth and continuity throughout the spaces. White walls are selectively introduced below a datum line that aligns with the roof geometry, specifically positioned to highlight artwork and create visual breaks in the wood-dominated surfaces. Wet areas, including an indoor spa facility, are finished in contrasting tile materials that offer both tactile and visual distinction from the primary wood surfaces.
The use of materials extends beyond mere aesthetic considerations. The plywood cladding provides both visual warmth and practical durability, while the strategic placement of white walls creates opportunities for art display and helps to define different functional zones within the open-plan living areas. The contrasting tile work in wet areas not only provides necessary water resistance but also creates moments of textural variety that enhance the sensory experience of moving through the home.
Despite the resulting architecture appearing complex and sophisticated, its foundation lies in familiar proportions and vernacular forms that reference traditional rural building techniques. The uniqueness of the South Bay House emerges from the thoughtful interplay of these recognizable shapes and their purposeful contrast with the surrounding landscape, producing a home that successfully attempts to both frame and actively engage with its natural surroundings.
The project demonstrates StudioAC's ability to create architecture that responds sensitively to site conditions while pushing the boundaries of residential design. By breaking away from conventional single-volume approaches and instead creating a composition of intersecting bars, the architects have achieved a design that offers multiple ways of experiencing both the interior spaces and the exterior landscape.
The South Bay House stands as an example of how contemporary residential architecture can honor rural building traditions while introducing innovative spatial concepts that enhance the relationship between inhabitants and their natural environment. Through its distinctive three-bar configuration, thoughtful material palette, and careful attention to the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, the project creates a unique living experience that celebrates both architectural innovation and environmental sensitivity.
The success of this project lies not only in its striking visual appearance but also in its fundamental understanding of how architectural form can shape daily experiences and foster a deeper connection between residents and the natural world that surrounds their home.
