Ravine Guest House and Reflecting Pool
Raimund Koch

Ravine Guest House and Reflecting Pool

Shim - Sutcliffe Architects as Architects

This modern guest house and reflecting pool is located on the grounds of a private residence abutting a Toronto ravine. It is conceived of as an open pavilion sitting in a lush verdant landscape.

 

A specialized structural system was developed to incorporate Profilit structural glass channels into a steel frame hung from the upper roof by stainless steel cables. The glass channels create a continuous upper band, bringing light into the space and allowing the roof plane to float. All the structural steel supporting the roof is exposed and expressed.

 

A wood burning indoor/outdoor fireplace plays a pivotal role in the project. It acts as the centre of the pavilion, tying the enclosed interior space with the covered, but open deck beyond. It has an operable fire glass window between the two sides creating reflections and views from one space to the other. A pair of double bi-fold doors allows the entire glazed wall of this guest house to open to the pool deck beyond. When completely open, the indoor and outdoor spaces flow together creating ambiguity between inside and outside.

 

The program consists of both indoor and outdoor elements. The indoor program includes a sitting room with sleeping area, a kitchen suitable for the guest house as well as for catering large parties, and a bathroom. The outdoor program includes a large wooden deck, reflecting pool with water lilies, bull rushes and fish, an outdoor covered dining area, and long concrete countertops for big parties that have wood storage below and a lower level with storage for garden equipment.

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert
18 Mar 2024 News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert

Mumbai-based Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the Nokha Village Community Centre, an architectur... More

Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
15 Mar 2024 News
Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers
15 Mar 2024 Specification
25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers

Mosaic wall tiles are produced in an enormous range of colors, shapes and finishes, and from a varie... More

Introducing Partner Motion Facades
15 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Motion Facades

Motion Facades specializes in supplying advanced facade systems for luxury real estate projects. Its... More

Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel
15 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel

Architects Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores have been an... More

JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements
14 Mar 2024 News
JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements

International architectural firm JSWD has completed the Neuer Kanzlerplatz office complex in the cit... More

Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'
14 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'

Today Archello introduces a new set of Firm Awards categories to widen the scope of the Archello Awa... More

Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes
13 Mar 2024 News
Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes

London-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice Studio Egret West has developed plan... More