Bunkie on the Hill

Situated high above a collection of multi-generational cottages below, Bunkie on the Hill serves as a quiet haven in the trees for family members to retreat and re-connect with nature. A contemporary interpretation of the archetypal A-frame shape evokes the quintessential Canadian cabin in the woods, differentiated by shifted roof volumes. Reminiscent of the overlapping layers of rock in the surrounding landscape, the split roof design features two intersecting gables that create opportunities for window openings where the roof volumes separate. These geometric windows allow for curated views of the treetops on one side and lake below on the other and invite natural light to flood the interior, reflecting off the sharp roof angles and creating dramatic lines and shadows. The cabin’s split roof design also generates distinct elevations on either side – a tall glazed facade facing the lake, and a wider, more opaque façade facing the forest, with a cut out for a covered entrance on the west side. Located midway along the side façade, the cabin’s entrance features a walkway with a slatted cedar screen on one side which echoes the tree trunks seen through framed views at each end. The cedar slats are animated by the ever-changing west light that filters through its openings, producing a dynamic interplay of light and shadows that enhance the richness of the material, and creating an engaging experience for visitors. The interior of the Bunkie is compact yet functional, with soaring ceilings that make the space feel larger than it is. Additionally, each interior space is designed with a curated, framed view to the exterior landscape, trees, or lake below. The upper loft space contains a built-in desk with a view overlooking the living space below and the expansive lake beyond, and an extra space for sleeping. The bedroom, tucked at the structure’s rear, includes immersive views of the forest. Natural materials were selected to complement the rustic context. Darkened wood siding contrasts the cedar soffits and screen framing the entrance, sitting atop the raw board-formed concrete base. Interior materials include oak flooring, red cedar slats and maple plywood, contrasted by dark charcoal window frames, stone counters, and furniture. The variety of wood species designate the different planes in the space – white wallboard defines the interior perimeter walls, internal partitions are clad in maple plywood, and the ceiling is delineated by cedar slats. Bunkie on the Hill seamlessly integrates a bold design approach that does not compromise environmental sustainability. The exterior walls have been thickened to act as passive insulators with an R-value of over 40, and include triple-glazed windows, allowing for a minimal heating system in the crawl space below. Flitch beams, with wood insulating the long-span steel, reduce thermal bridging from the exterior. Wood products are FSC-rated and the few fixtures are low flow/low energy. To avoid the need for blasting, the Bunkie was raised above grade and its foundation constructed on top of the natural rock contours, allowing the structure to sit lightly on the landscape.