Stone House on the Shore of Nova Scotia by Architect Omar Gandhi — Sustainable Coastal Resort

Located on the rocky shores of Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Rockbound House by architect Omar Gandhi is a striking example of how contemporary architecture can harmonize with the harsh coastal landscape. The design presents a private resort facing the Atlantic Ocean, balancing sustainability and elegance, with engineering solutions adapted to changing weather conditions and architectural elements framing panoramic ocean views.

This project is not only a retreat for the owners but also evidence of collaboration, craftsmanship and sensitivity to place, combining durable materials with refined details to create a house that belongs to the coastal zone itself.

Location and Design Concept — A House Shaped by the Atlantic

The rocky shore served as an inspiration and a challenge. Rather than imposing its style onto the environment, the architects allowed the structure to organically grow from the terrain, reflecting the contours of the coastline. The building volumes are aligned parallel to the shoreline, positioning living spaces to offer panoramic views of the harbor and Peggy Cove lighthouse.

The design directly responds to the client's vision of a sanctuary, protected from the harsh maritime climate and closely tied to oceanic rhythms.

Sustainable Architecture — Adaptation to Harsh Weather Conditions

In the coastal environment of Nova Scotia, durability is a key factor. The architects at Omar Gandhi used materials that naturally withstand time, allowing the house to age gracefully, telling its story through its place.

Key strategies include:

• Micro-pile engineering solutions, applied during construction when a sandstone layer was discovered, ensure stability despite geotechnical challenges.

• Steel and timber frame, carefully designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.

• Enclosed terraces and deep overhangs, providing shade and shelter, extend the possibilities for outdoor living regardless of weather conditions.

This approach to sustainability elevates Rockbound to the level of a model for coastal adaptation.

Interior Environment — Warmth Amidst the Blue Expanse of the Atlantic

While the exterior interacts with the rigidity of rocks, the interior evokes warmth and intimacy. Guests enter through a modest hall that gradually opens up to vast ocean panoramas, enhancing the sense of arrival.

• Warm wooden elements and natural thin tiles soften the interior and balance the cold gray and blue tones of the sea.

• Enclosed terraces and floor-to-ceiling glazing blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces.

• Private sleeping areas are located above the main living space, offering secluded retreats surrounded by nature.

The house is designed as a sequence of experiences, from introspective zones to emotional panoramas that emphasize the horizon.

Engineering Ingenuity — Hidden Complexity, Visible Simplicity

The elegance of Rockbound masks complex structural solutions. During construction, a sandstone layer was discovered that posed significant risk. Instead of abandoning the site or overcomplicating the solution, the team developed a strategic micro-pile system, effectively distributing loads while maintaining the architectural concept.

Other details reflect a blend of technical precision and design excellence:

• Steel rings around windows serve both climatic and visual functions, framing views and controlling impact.

• Hidden garage doors and continuous cladding lines maintain an aesthetically clean exterior appearance.

• Coordinated masonry lines run across the facade, emphasizing building volumes with elegant simplicity.

Collaborative Process — Architects, Engineers and Clients

The success of Rockbound House is rooted in collaboration at every stage. Builders, engineers, consultants and the client all contributed to shaping the project. The client’s vision — a resort combining sustainability, privacy and nature connection — guided every decision.

The team at Omar Gandhi went beyond the initial brief, introducing spatial innovations that reveal unexpected perspectives and rich sensory experiences. The result is a house embodying protection and openness, reflecting the duality of coastal life.

Rockbound House by architect Omar Gandhi is more than modern housing—it's a coastal monument, an architectural response to the untamed beauty and power of the Atlantic. It embodies climatic resilience, engineering ingenuity and emotional connection to place, creating a home that seems eternal like the rocky shore it stands upon.

With Rockbound, architect Omar Gandhi demonstrates how design can balance protection and openness, intimacy and space, sustainability and grace—a true model of contemporary coastal architecture.