Project Winner

Taking its inspiration from the owners’ collection of glass art, the objective was to design a home that would double as a private art gallery and spa while blurring the boundaries between indoors and out.

Centred on a two-acre site, the two-storey, L-plan residence takes advantage of views of mature trees. Living quarters occupy the middle of the house with other functions in the wings. Essentially one room wide, the interior lacks doors and hallways, enabling expansive views from room to room and to the exterior. A large, sculptural circular staircase links the two floors.
Spanning two floors, the art gallery diffuses light from clerestory windows and skylights to illuminate the art while protecting it from harmful direct rays. The artworks show to advantage against the consistent backdrop of white plaster, French limestone and walnut flooring.

The fitness area, sauna, steam shower, swimming pool and whirlpool are framed by limestone decking that bridges the interior and exterior pools. Inside, water cascades from the fitness mezzanine into the swimming pool. Outside, it falls from one level of fountain into another, bringing tranquil sounds into all areas of the house. Indeed, the sense of water is omnipresent. Organically undulating ceilings above the art gallery and swimming pool hang like heavy drops of liquid.

Alsop: It’s a beautiful building, culminating in a wonderful pool.
Drobot: The juxtaposed, curved ceilings are intriguing to the eye without getting stressful.
Schleeh: The way the daylight falls over the fireplace is a wonderful detail.
Bullock: That shows what this place is all about: great natural lighting on walls for art.
Banse: I like its bluntness. It’s like a sculptural object.