Image credit: Ema Peter
Omar Gandhi Architects has completed Cedar’s Kin, a hillside residence in Huron County, Ontario. The scheme was designed to respond closely to the topography and ecological conditions of Lake Huron’s eastern shoreline.
Image credit: Ema Peter
Image credit: Ema Peter
Positioned on a steep, forested slope, the 5,000-square-foot project is organized as a series of stepped volumes that descend towards the water. The entrance is located at the top of the hill, with circulation moving downward through interconnected spaces, establishing a spatial sequence that engages the landscape across multiple levels.
Image credit: Ema Peter
Image credit: Ema Peter
The scheme comprises a primary residence alongside smaller outbuildings, including a guest cabin and beach hut. The secondary structures adopt the same design language as the main house, extending the composition across the site. Each volume is subtly rotated to align with openings in the tree canopy, framing views of Lake Huron while maintaining the continuity of the surrounding forest.
Image credit: Ema Peter
Image credit: Ema Peter
“Each program volume rotates to align with existing openings in the tree canopy, framing sweeping views of Lake Huron,” Omar Gandhi explains. “Gentle shifts and variations establish a rhythm along the slope, with each interior space forming a unique relationship with the surrounding forest.”
Image credit: Ema Peter
Image credit: Ema Peter
Large apertures and terraces are used to strengthen connections between interior and exterior spaces. Open terrace areas project into the tree line, while glazing captures both filtered and panoramic views, introducing varying light conditions throughout the day.
Image credit: Ema Peter
Material choices reinforce the scheme’s integration with its natural context. The exterior is clad in eastern white cedar, which continues into the interior through cedar-lined ceilings, paired with oak millwork and polished concrete floors. Inside, a restrained palette of natural materials defines the spaces, with a double-height living area featuring vertical glazing and a prominent oak staircase connecting upper levels.
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