RHAD Architects Completes Two Bay House with Charred Wood in Nova Scotia
Two Bay House, a waterfront residence located on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, has been finalized by RHAD Architects under the direction of Rayleen Hill. The structure incorporates two parallel bays that generate courtyards and expansive double-height areas. One of the bays, which faces west, creates a sheltered outdoor living space that benefits from sunlight while shielding against winds. This two-story dwelling is constructed with mass timber, featuring glue-laminated timber roofs and insulated concrete walls. The exterior showcases charred vertical wooden siding, treated with black oil using the shou sugi ban technique. The entry court is defined by tall slatted walls. Inside, the shorter section houses bedrooms, while the longer section contains the kitchen, dining area, and living room, highlighting a design focus on subtraction and voids. Photography by Adrian Ozimek.
Key facts
- RHAD Architects has completed Two Bay House in Nova Scotia, Canada.
- The waterfront home is located on Cape Breton Island in northeastern Nova Scotia.
- The design consists of two parallel volumes, or bays, with one shorter in length.
- The house rises two levels and is partly made of mass timber.
- The primary roof structure uses glue-laminated timber, while roof decking is standard lumber.
- Walls are constructed of insulated concrete forms (ICFs).
- Exterior walls are clad in vertical wooden siding charred using shou sugi ban (yakisugi) and treated with black oil.
- The shorter volume contains two bedrooms on the bottom level and a primary bedroom above.
- The longer volume holds a kitchen, dining area, and living room on the ground floor, with a music room and small salon upstairs.
- The west side features a swimming pool surrounded by a generous terrace.
- The photography is by Adrian Ozimek.
- RHAD Architects is based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and led by founder Rayleen Hill.
Entities
Artists
- Rayleen Hill
- Adrian Ozimek
Institutions
- RHAD Architects
- Omar Gandhi Architects
- MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple
- Dezeen
Locations
- Nova Scotia
- Canada
- Cape Breton Island
- Dartmouth
Sources
- Dezeen —