Britain House by Shugarman Architecture + Design Inc in Calgary, Canada

Project: Britain House Architects: Shugarman Architecture + Design IncLocation: Calgary, CanadaArea: 43,055 sq ft
Photography: David Troyer

Britain House by Shugarman Architecture + Design Inc

Shugarman Architecture + Design Inc designed Britain House in Calgary, Canada. This stunning modern home features a massive interior space of 43,055 square feet. Additionally, it is surrounded by beautifully landscaped areas connected to the building through an open layout.

Britain House is located on the east shore of the Elbow River in southeast Calgary, Alberta. Architecturally, the house challenges traditional typologies of planning private and open spaces in single-family housing. In many modern neighborhoods, family outdoor recreation is given preference over a more private backyard area rather than the front terrace space as was typical before.

On this lot, western solar exposure and views of the river valley are visible only from the front yard. Therefore, instead of limiting the enjoyment of views to interior spaces alone, the project began with an updated concept for a large covered front porch. To provide greater privacy for this outdoor recreation zone and interior spaces, the path from the sidewalk to the front doors was carefully woven and landscaped to create a screen.

Height restrictions meant a two-story house was not feasible. We used the bungalow form and raised it to maximum allowable height, while placing the garage underground. We tilted the roof shape in the main living area to point toward the view. This solution allowed us to fully utilize western solar exposure and views of the park and river below. Overall, floor plans were kept minimal in depth to allow light to penetrate and all rooms have views in all directions.

The form of the house has two opposite expressions. One is a living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and an expressive roof. The other is a more architecturally modest linear form containing a group of smaller rooms such as an office and bedrooms. Between these two opposing forms is the entry to the house. On one side - a spacious living room, on the other - more intimate private rooms; the entry truly is a "space between" the house and helps define the forms and functions of these spaces immediately upon entry.

The fireplace is a floating architectural element connecting the outside world to the inside. Outside, fully natural quartz-clad walls subtly indicate the entry through their verticality. Once inside, they become the main interior element of the house and serve as a privacy screen from the entry, while their functionality as a fireplace anchors the living room.

–Shugarman Architecture + Design Inc