omar gandhi protects coastal home in nova scotia with 'mysterious' steel façade

canadian architect omar gandhi has built a fortress-like residence on the south shore of nova scotia, canada. sited in the wild landscape of kingsburg beach, the dark-silhouetted property emerges above the terrain’s tall grasses and through the thick fog common to the area. although the home presents a rugged and robust appearance, its interior spaces have been designed to maximize seaside views, while maintaining a high level of privacy from neighbors and passersby.

all images by ema peter

in designing the house, titled ‘treow brycg’, omar gandhi referenced nova scotia’s gambrel-rooved barns — structures capable of withstanding the region’s unpredictable weather. residents enter through an interstitial space protected by a heavy steel canted wall. the lower level includes a garage and the guest wing, which flank the internal breezeway and a steel staircase clad in walnut and black steel. on the floor above, the living space, which is organized around a linear fireplace, offers sweeping coastal views.

residents enter through an interstitial space

an elevated outdoor space ensures privacy, while protecting occupants from the summer sun with a wood brise soleil. the deck cantilevers out from the house, projecting towards the beach below. the deep-set windows, together with the brise soleil, help to control solar gain, while the canted wall and slatted screen enclose a plunge pool and fireplace with views towards the water.

the lower level includes a garage and the guest wing

the living space offers sweeping coastal views

the deep-set windows and the brise soleil help to control solar gain

the outdoordeck cantilevers out from the house, projecting towards the beach below

the canted wall encloses a fireplace with views towards the water

the dark-silhouetted property emerges through the thick fog common to the area

the mysterious entrance offers slight glimpses of the building’s interior

the heavy, dark shell is clad in extra-dark bronze, aluminum standing seam

heavy, black steel frames repeat from end to end of the structure

project info:

name: treow brycg
location: kingsburg, nova scotia
, canada
status: completed summer 2018

design: omar gandhi, jeff shaw, karl gruenewald
contractor: MRB contracting

structural: andrea doncaster engineering

physical model: chad jamieson

rendering: ryan nelson

photography: ema peter