Open Canadian Bauhaus Home
Every aspect of this home’s layout was molded around views, slope and natural lighting, states Paul Whincup of Habitat Studio & Workshop. The homeowners, a couple with a college-age son, wanted a home which could be amusement friendly, using a distinct indoor-outdoor feel. And then they got it. See how sun, color and fun fill every area, from the ample open kitchen, flexible floor plan and corner sunrooms to the magnificent three-story staircase that ties everything together.
at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their college-age son
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Size: 4,510 square feet
That’s intriguing: The clients had their eye on this plot for ages.
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The clients wanted a generous-size kitchen constructed for amusement and one which may accommodate two cooks easily. A walk-in pantry just past the primary kitchen space provides plenty of storage, while the cabinets were specifically intended for the clients’ needs.
A transparent eating bar is created from acrylic for easy cleanup, and a butcher block island counter eliminates the requirement for cutting boards.
Counters: Labradorite Blue Austral granite; flooring: Augusto travertine; cabinetry: habit cherry, Zebra Cabinets
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The hood fan retracts into the ceiling, allowing the kitchen to feel much more open to the family room and dining area. The kitchen also has access to a deck and an adjacent sunroom, increasing the stream of light.
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A gorgeous custom-designed three-story wood stairs artistically ties the whole house together. Glass railings, incorporated wood screens and artisan hand-carved stone accents make it a true work of art. A bubble glass chandelier provides mild and draws the eye up and down, and also a huge skylight over the center of the stairwell provides central lighting for all three floors.
Habitat Studio
Whincup and his team emphasized natural light as far as you can. South-facing windows were installed where they made sense, and north-facing windows provide gentler, more indirect lighting. The large and small windows in the living area (revealed ) allow light to filter in from various directions without getting overpowering.
Wall paint: Surf Blue, Benjamin Moore
Habitat Studio
Having ample space to amuse was significant to the clients. Whincup and his team designed the main floor so that each room had the option of feeling private or open. Colored walls ascertain various spaces by work, but open hallways and wooden screens allow light and sound to filter through.
Green wall covering: imported silk background; wall paint: Rumba Orange, Benjamin Moore
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The clients did a lot of traveling and had acquired many of those beautifully hand-carved wooden screens through recent years. In the dining area, two privacy screens were installed onto a sliding system.
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Corner sunrooms have retractable screens that let them be open or shut off from the primary floor. When the screens are dragged back, light floods the interior of the home.
The outside deck and corner sunroom are Whincup’s treasured spaces in the house. The easy access to the kitchen which makes it easy to cook out on the grill and leads to the indoor-outdoor feel.
Habitat Studio
A casual TV room opens off the outside living space on the primary floor. The sofa has casual cushions which may be pulled apart and rearranged as necessary. The TV is at a custom-built cabinet, incorporated with all the wooden screens seen throughout the rest of the home.
The clients had a very particular idea of what they wanted this house to look like in terms of materials and colors, and the firm took leadership from them on several occasions. “They have excellent taste and ideas,” says Whincup. “This was a joy working with them.”
Wall paint: Smoked Oyster, Benjamin Moore
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Unique glass tiles were installed on the restroom wall dividing the shower and the bathroom. A daring bright green wall extends through to the shower.
Wall tile: Sicis Glimmer; floor and wall tile: Augusto travertine
Habitat Studio
Ecofriendly elements were emphasized throughout the property’s structure and layout. Insulation in the walls — particularly in the basement and the attic — helps maintain the property’s temperature. Triple-glazed argon windows optimize passive solar lighting, and a rainwater capture and reuse system helps with the water supply. A high-efficiency furnace and hot-water tank warm the home.