Lawrencetown House: Inhabiting the Canadian Coastline

Lawrencetown House sits discreetly within the coastal landscape of Nova Scotia, a location defined by a network of wetlands, clearings, and rocky outcroppings. Designed by Bishop McDowell and David Burlock for a young family, the house occupies a site that gently slopes toward the southeast. A band of vegetation, interspersed with ponds and conifers, traverses the property before descending toward the rugged coastline. The architects drew inspiration from this combination of natural elements for the project’s compositional framework.

A family retreat overlooking the Atlantic

Located in West Lawrencetown overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the area is known for its white sand beaches, parks, and popular surf breaks. The residence is organized around a thick, wood-clad wall. Rather than a simple partition, the wall is the project’s functional core, incorporating the kitchen, fireplace, storage, and mechanical systems. To the north, the wall defines a sheltered entry forecourt; to the south, it transitions to an open terrace overlooking the landscape.

Two slightly offset gabled volumes sit above this datum, forming a roof geometry that articulates the various living spaces. On the street side, the house uses a subtractive approach to maintain privacy and establish a progression toward the interior. In contrast, the ocean-facing elevation opens completely through expansive glazing that dissolves the boundary between indoors and out, engaging the full depth of the coastal landscape.

The material palette further reinforces the connection to the surroundings. Left untreated, the eastern white cedar shiplap is intended to weather over time and take on the hues of the Atlantic climate. The light-gray standing-seam metal roofs reflect the sky’s shifting light to create an understated yet ever-changing profile.

Designed for a family of four, the house inverts the conventional spatial distribution, placing the living areas on the upper floor and the bedrooms on the lower level. This configuration prioritizes the visual connection to the landscape by giving the collective spaces the most expansive views. The double-height living room, with its vaulted ceiling and extensive glazing, opens toward the horizon to frame views of the coastline extending to the southeast.

Custom millwork and light maple flooring create warm, elegant interiors, with the material palette serving as a cohesive element throughout the project. Balancing shelter and exposure, Lawrencetown House moves beyond simply occupying the site to interpret the coastal landscape as part of the domestic space.

>>> Related: Glasgow Residence, an elegant contemporary home in Canada designed by Reigo & Bauer