Omar Gandhi Architects

Syncline House

Syncline House
© Ema Peter

SYNCLINE HOUSE

Omar Gandhi Architect

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ema Peter

YEAR
2017

SPECIFICATIONS AND ENVELOPE CONSULTANT
Eric Stotts Architect

LOCATION
Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada

STRUCTURAL
Andrea Doncaster Engineering

LANDSCAPE
Land Studio East

PHYSICAL MODEL
Devin Harper

MANUFACTURERS
Rieder Group, Bega, Amos Wood, Commdoor Aluminum

CONTRACTOR
Wood Masters Construction Limited (Paul Stewart)

CATEGORY
HOUSES

RENDERINGS
Norm Li AG+I

DESIGN TEAM
Omar Gandhi, Peter Braithwaite, Elizabeth Powell, Devin Harper, Ozana Gherman

Text description provided by architect.

Syncline ˈ(\ˈsin-ˌklīn\): a fold in stratified rock with younger layers closer to the center of the structure. The home sits on the lone syncline that runs through peninsular Halifax.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Courtesy of Omar Gandhi Architect

Located in the south end of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Syncline was designed for California-based Geoff and his husband, Nova Scotia-based James – the quiet, masculine modern form sits adjacent to Point Pleasant Park and overlooks the North-West Arm.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Ema Peter

Sitting atop a concrete base which seemingly extends the rocky foundation, the home is composed of twin volumes clad in a textured, white Fibre C - a German-made fibre cement panel composed of raw materials including glass fibre, sand, and cement.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Ema Peter

The volumes vary in proportion as well as location, with one lunging forward slightly ahead of the other.

Syncline House
© Courtesy of Omar Gandhi Architect

The taller volume houses the public program including the gym, living room and kitchen, while the lower features the home’s sleeping and office amenities. At the forefront of both are walk-out decks facing the western ocean view, one from the living room and the other from the master bedroom.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Courtesy of Omar Gandhi Architect

Wood-decked patios overlooking the city’s primary forested park in one direction and the open ocean waters in the other sit high atop the two primary volumes.

A central core between the two is fully glazed in black-framed windows and topped with a razor thin canopy, encasing a porous, wood-lined steel staircase which winds its way up through the home.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Ema Peter
Syncline House
© Ema Peter

Flanking the taller volume is a tall, wood-clad structure which includes a residential scale elevator and back-of-house spaces including a high-end audio control room. The wood cladding is scorched, locally-sourced clear spruce with a clear coat finish. Wood scorching introduces flame to surface, intentionally charring it before it is brushed to remove any loose carbon, providing both decay and flame resistance through the process. The interior material palette is composed wide white oak flooring, an all-white wall treatment and header-less doors which span from floor to ceiling.

The home utilizes geothermal heat pumps as the primary source for heating and cooling. Energy requirements are supplemented by a rooftop field of photovoltaic panels. The entirety of the glazing utilized for the home is triple pane for both energy conservation and acoustic requirements. Automated blinds and recessed windows on the south west façade help to passively cool the house. Natural light is drawn into the primary social spaces through the double height atrium and great room spaces.

Syncline House
© Ema Peter


Syncline House
Ground Floor Plan
Syncline House
Mezanine Floor Plan
Syncline House
Main Floor Plan
Syncline House
Roof Plan


Syncline House
Site Plan

Omar Gandhi Architects
T +1 902 4201580
Omar Gandhi Architects
1209 Marginal Rd Suite 300, Halifax, NS B3H 4P8, Canada