Canadian architect Brian MacKay-Lyons built an A588 weathering steel hut for construction interns at his Nova Scotia field. It has a rough weathering steel skin and a rustic yet compact interior. The founder of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects designed Enough House to add it as a recent outbuilding to Shobac, and in the past few decades, architects have converted their former summer camp into “rural”.
But unlike the more traditional timber buildings on the property (ranging from farmhouse barns to school buildings), this gabled cottage is covered with Corten steel panels on the walls and roof.
This weather-resistant steel plate gives the building a rich orange hue that will continue to change over the life of the building.
This weather-resistant steel plate gives the building a rich orange hue that will continue to change over the life of the building.
“The Enough residence is an adjacent school building that shares the same minimalist philosophy. The school is a classic, wood-designed piece of work, but Enough's home has been completely modernized,” MacKay -Lyons said.
“The Enough residence is an adjacent school building that shares the same minimalist philosophy. The school is a classic, wood-designed piece of work, but Enough's home has been completely modernized,” MacKay -Lyons said. “Exposed Douglas fir plywood, loose floors and plywood furniture match the rusted panels to create a holistic effect for the building,” says MacKay-Lyons.
The entire home was also built with concrete ribs, reducing the impact on the rural landscape. Engineered by the architect's daughter, Renee MacKay-Lyons, these ribs extend to create courtyard and garden spaces. This is an ongoing project – along with a series of outstanding homes such as the Overhead Cliff House and the Sunset Rock Residence at the Beach – the architect was awarded Canada's most prestigious architectural award, the 2015 RAIC Gold Medal.
