Teeple Architects Inc.

Port Hope House

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

PORT HOPE HOUSE

Teeple Architects

CATEGORY
Houses

LOCATION
Port Hope, Canada

AREA
4450 ft²

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Blackwell Bowick Partnership Ltd.

YEAR
2012

PROJECT TEAM
Stephen Teeple, Luc Bouliane

PHOTOGRAPHS
Scott Norsworthy

MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Elite H.V.A.C. Designs

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Derek Nicholson Inc.


The Port Hope House is located on a hundred-acre site bordering Lake Ontario, 5 kilometers outside of the town of Port Hope, Ontario. The property gently slopes southward for a kilometer across farmland, is interrupted briefly by a dense woodlot, and terminates at a 75-foot cliff that falls into the lake.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

Adjacent to the cliff edge is an abandoned rail passage cut into the earth that once served as the first train connection to southern Ontario.

This 15 foot deep trench runs parallel to the water the distance of the property and generates another unique ecosystem on the site.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

The project’s unique location is the single most important element in the design concept.

The specific location of the house was selected to take advantage of the confluence of four key site conditions.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

The dark peace of a woodlot at the northern end of the property; the openness of a vast fallow field; the unexpected quiet of an abandoned rail cut; and a thunderous lake embankment.

One by one, these are carefully woven into the architectural experience of the project, resulting in a delightfully orchestrated presentation of surprising spatial contrasts that balance the two natural extremes of the site – expanses of land and expanses of water.

Indeed, the project’s tectonic expression is based on its physical relationship to the topography; gradually rising cast-in-place concrete walls are embedded in the earth of the property.

At their lowest point subtly framing both views to the woodlot and thermal baths and then growing upward, thrusting the living room, kitchen and master bedroom into a dramatic cantilever above the rail cut to capture unrestrained views of the lake.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

What begins as a single lifting and curving form splits into two framed volumes, allowing via a subtle separation, clerestory lighting to permeate deep into the living areas.

A sloping deck connects the master bedroom with both the pool and field.

A charcoal zinc cladding flows over the concrete, forming a highly efficient building envelope.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy

As the house rises toward the South, the material palette and massing lighten to privilege openness and light. Internal courtyards and clerestories facilitate natural ventilation and daylighting.

Emphasizing the house’s organic connection to the land, water and sewage are treated on site, rainwater is collected for irrigation and the majority of land around the house has been re-naturalized, save for vegetable gardens that seasonally supply the clients’ needs.

Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy


Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy
Port Hope House
© Scott Norsworthy


Port Hope House
Elevation 1
Port Hope House
Elevation 2


Port Hope House
Site Section
Port Hope House
Longitudinal Section

Teeple Architects Inc.
T +1 416 5980554 F +1 416 5981705
Teeple Architects Inc.
5 Camden Street, Toronto Ontario, M5V 1V2, Canada