Tucked away on the edge of St. John’s historic downtown core, this private residence overlooks one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. The home is formally comprised of a series of overlapping rectangular masses creating both a highly contemporary form and a variation of interconnected spatial characteristics within the interior, ranging from intimate nooks to grand double-height spaces.

This project doesn’t shy away from memento mori. The cemetery’s picturesque views are embraced and celebrated. Views from the Dining Room, Master Bedroom and Master Bath look out over the park-like space, and a digitally fabricated wooden screen in the Master Bedroom emulates an aerial view of the grave plots from the neighbouring property.

The house had to work with a very narrow site in an older section of St. John's, Newfoundland, facing one of the City's oldest cemeteries. The design creates a series of indoor and outdoor spaces which enhance the natural features and its unique relationship with the city and cemetery.

The key challenges included creating a new home that fit within the bounds of the site, created privacy, and celebrated views while satisfying the needs of the St. John's Heritage Committee.

Team:

Architects: Woodford Architecture

Photographer: Jane Brokenshire