Eagle Watch

Prince Edward Island, Canada
5,500 sq ft
6 bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms
1,300 sq ft Attached Garage
Service Barn, Grass Tennis Court
New Construction

This rugged P.E.I. Northern bluff site facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence presented environmental challenges such as frequent strong winds and horizontal rain storms blowing in.

The Manhattan husband and wife owners of this house had been living in a vacation house I designed in East Hampton for many years. When they retired and wanted to move back to their native Canada, they chose me to design this new construction. The primary vision for their new home was having as many, if not all, rooms designed with glass thereby taking advantage of the spectacular coastal views. Considering the seasonal elements, it was also essential to have a stone and wood secure lodge entry.

Exterior & Grounds

The clients and I were decidedly in tune with the local vernacular aesthetic of barns and farm buildings spread all over this part of the island and wanted a house that would capture the directness of the island’s older buildings. This was accomplished using materials like White Cedar shingles and simply connected gable forms strung together to give an assembled additive feel of building over time. This “assemblage” concept allowed me to break down the rather large building mass into a more human scale.

Interior

The rather large span of the living spaces required a wood and steel truss system that became a major design element that also influenced material choices in other parts of the house. The custom-crafted open stair of similar materials of wood slabs and steel cables leading to the private master wing being one example.

Several fireplace “Nooks” with water views at different floor levels were created with plenty of book storage in each to provide cozy reading opportunities. The main floor plan “bends” at its center to allow for even more coastal views from different vantage points. Many interesting interior and exterior light fixture types were selected. A local beige stone from one of the island’s quarries was used for all the masonry.

Kitchen + Bath

They both liked to cook and entertain so the large multi-island kitchen was the central hub of the house with dining and living spaces adjacent. It resides in the “bend” of the house so access to pantries, dining, living and screen porch are all part of the action. 

The generous master bath has a large soaking tub aimed at the coastline views with a private roof deck access for drying off in the warmer months.