Perched on the ancient Scarborough Bluffs, Meadowcliffe House by Lebel & Bouliane redefines what it means to design for multigenerational living. This open-plan, fully accessible home brings three generations together under one roof, balancing independence, connection and long-term aging in place with striking architectural clarity.
Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, between a protected forested ridge and the sweeping horizon of Lake Ontario, the home takes inspiration from the Bluffs’ ancient limestone cliffs—12,000 years in the making.
Two sculpted volumes, clad in locally quarried Algonquin limestone, are pulled apart to create a luminous three-storey atrium. This central void floods the interior with daylight and opens an unbroken vista from the front door straight through to the lake.
Two programming challenges shaped the design: capturing a full lake view upon entry, and preserving intimacy despite the home’s scale and the atrium’s presence. With ceilings starting at 10 feet and the atrium rising 33.5 feet, proportions were carefully managed. Windows, doors, and openings were upscaled, as were furnishings and finishess.
The kitchen was conceived for large gatherings without feeling overblown. Multiple prep zones and paired appliances—sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators—are discreetly integrated behind minimalist cabinetry that continues the atrium’s limestone expression. At the center, a tapered island anchors the space, guiding the eye seamlessly toward the dining table and terrace beyond.
The layout is designed to accommodate both the rhythms of quiet daily life and gatherings of up to 80 guests. Kitchen, dining, and living spaces extend outward to a stone terrace and a stainless-steel infinity pool perched at the bluff’s edge, where water and sky appear to merge. A dedicated family wing and children’s rooms are linked by glass bridges, while below grade, a concealed theatre and games room provide private retreat. Accessibility is woven into the design: the main floor is fully barrier-free, with wide corridors, an accessible guest suite, flush thresholds, and a discreet elevator connecting every level—from the principal living spaces to a treetop lounge and rooftop deck.
Material precision defines the project. Over 6,000 square feet of Algonquin limestone—selected by architect Luc Bouliane at a quarry in Owen Sound—was cut, numbered, and pre-mitred for perfect alignment. Brushed oak floors by Moncer, oxford white walls, and warm grey-bronze cladding echo the lake’s shifting tones.
The ground floor is entirely barrier-free, with wide corridors, an accessible guest suite and flush thresholds that allow seamless movement from garage to lake. An elevator links every floor, including a third-level family lounge and rooftop deck perched above the mist and trees.
Furnishings blend Canadian craft with international design—Montauk, Atelier Dimo, Nadine Hajjar Studio, Hollis + Morris, A-N-D, MOS Design, Bocci—paired with artwork by Casey McGlynn and ceramics by Thomas Ballman.
Meadowcliffe House is both grounded and adaptable—an accessible, evolving home that unites light, stone, and craft, shaped to grow with its family and the shifting moods of its remarkable site.
Bedrooms remained modest to encourage use of shared spaces. Upstairs, two bridges connect bedrooms, with every room oriented toward the atrium, the home’s social heart.
The house engages its surroundings in subtle ways—sometimes dissolving into mist, other times glowing against the horizon. More than 27 mature trees were preserved, native vegetation reintroduced, and the bluff edge safeguarded through careful runoff strategies.
