2 weeks Ago By Georgie Binks Special to the Star
When Jennifer decided to build a ski chalet in the Collingwood area, she and her husband originally wanted a traditional craftsmen-style cottage. “Driving through the countryside, we found the look of the typical Ontario barn really appealing. Could it work? “We went to Kelly and Rob with that concept in mind,” said Jennifer, who did not want to use her last name.
Kelly Buffey and Rob Kastelic of Akb Architects supervised the design. The 3,000-square-foot home is an inversion of a typical floor plan and has the more public living spaces on the upper level and the private spaces located below. The kitchen, dining, living areas and the den are located on the second floor.
The bedrooms, bathrooms, sauna and mud room are on the lower level — the places the family spends less time in during the day. “Being a ski chalet, we wanted to prioritize the long views of the ski hills in the communal areas,” Buffey explained. “We reimagined the iconic and simple form of a barn to create a strong building profile with recessed eaves troughs along the roof edge, to accentuate the simplicity of its gabled profile.
“The entry is marked by a single-storey mass, with a flat roof that notches into the main part of the building. Painted white, in reference to snow, the entry is accentuated relative to the black silhouette of the rest of the chalet.” Jennifer says the family’s favourite room is the kitchen and great room.
“It’s a perfect size for us — not too big and not too small. It has enough volume that you never feel cramped, but it still has a cosy feel. The use of materials is very subtle, which gives a tranquil quality with lovely views of the ravine behind the chalet and the ski hills in the distance.
” The interior palette is whitewashed oak floor boards and wood veneer cabinetry, while the exterior is prefinished Canadian pine siding and a high-performance metal roof. While the family stores its ski equipment at their ski club, Jennifer says “We knew you could never have too much hanging space for jackets and cubbies for helmets, hats, gloves and other items.” A mud room on the ground floor around the corner from the front entrance has been designed for snow gear and laundry.
To ensure a bright home, the predominantly solid walls have large vertical window openings, Buffey says. The floor plate on the second level has been opened up so light can filter through from all directions. Says Jennifer: “It’s bright but never too bright.
There are no window coverings in the great room-kitchen area and we have never felt for a moment like we have needed them for sun protection or privacy. We have direct sun in the morning and through the day, which is really pleasant and never glaring.”.
