MARITIME RIGOUR.Poised on a clifftop in Canada's eastern Maritime provinces, the simple geometry and materials of this economically built house recall the region's sturdy vernacular farm and industrial buildings. Spectacularly located on a cliff edge on the tip of Cape Breton island Cape Breton Island, island (1991 pop. 161,686), 3,970 sq mi (10,282 sq km), forming the northeastern part of N.S., Canada, and separated from the mainland by the narrow Gut, or Strait, of Canso. The easternmost point is called Cape Breton. , the Danielson House is a retirement home for a landscape architect and a meteorologist. On a clear day you can see as far as distant Newfoundland. The house was built on a very tight budget, using techniques of prefabrication prefabrication, in architectural construction, a technique whereby large units of a building are produced in factories to be assembled, ready-made, on the building site. The technique permits the speedy erection of very large structures. to maximize the economies of off-site fabrication fabrication (fab´rikā´sh  n),n the construction or making of a restoration. and to take advantage of the short construction season. In Canada's Maritime provinces, there is a long tradition of treating buildings like boats, as lightweight, mobile structures sitting gently on land, ice or water. The work of MacKay-Lyons (AR May 1993) also derives ideas of form and massing from the rude barns, sheds and fishing shacks in the Maritimes' rocky landscapes, and the Danielson residence extends this rigorous yet hearty architectural lineage. The house is a modern version of a vernacular lean-to structure and its parti is equally simple and economical. The main living area is a double-height, open-plan room divided into four structural bays. A series of cellular servant spaces such as kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms are arranged to the rear along its long edge. Except for a small projecting bay containing a fire and alcove, the ocean front is glazed, affording splendid views and drenching drenching farmer's term for the administration of medicines as solutions or suspensions in water by mouth with a drench bottle, gun or funnel. drenching bit to be included in a bridle as a bit. the interior in a soft clear light. The alcove has its own small window, providing a sense of intimacy and enclosure amid the cavernous main space. Lined with timber, the interior is warm and womb-like. A plane of corrugated cor·ru·gate v. cor·ru·gat·ed, cor·ru·gat·ing, cor·ru·gates v.tr. To shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. v.intr. metal envelops the rectilinear rec·ti·lin·e·ar adj. Moving in, consisting of, bounded by, or characterized by a straight line or lines: following a rectilinear path; rectilinear patterns in wallpaper. volume of the house, cranking downwards to clad the upper part of the walls as well as the roof. The geometry is bold and simple reflecting a kinship with the region's farm and industrial buildings. A long timber deck links the house with a smaller structure used as a belvedere for sitting out or quiet contemplation. A vertical screen can be lowered to seal off the end of the main house, separating the two volumes. From a distance, house and belvedere resemble a boat towing a smaller dinghy in its wake, reinforcing the project's robust, nautical spirit. Architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, Halifax, Nova Scotia For other uses, see Halifax. Halifax, Nova Scotia may refer to any of the following:
Project team Brian MacKay-Lyons, Bruno weber, Trevor Davies, Daryl Jonas Structural engineer Campbell Comeau Engineering Photographs Undine undine (əndēn`, ŭn`dēn), in folklore, female water sprite who could acquire a soul by marrying a human being. If, however, her lover proved unfaithful, she had to return to the sea. Prohl |
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