Island Studio House

Once a charming fishing/hunting lodge, this simple mid-century building is the earliest structure built in this island neighborhood overlooking a small freshwater lake. With low-slung roofs and deep overhangs, it was sensibly built on pilings and raised off the ground. 

The proposal for an overall re-think of the existing house and property of one of the island’s original buildings, as well as adding a studio for the new resident artist, required sensitivity and suitability for both the structure and critically, for the island. As this building style once represented the current look of a small island house in the fifties, it was important that any new additions be respectful of the past but also be of its time.

A master plan was undertaken first. It was deliberate that interior renovations to the existing cottage were limited and the exterior be restored but not altered - apart from the updating the railings. The location of a new addition was recommended as a part of a rethink as to how the whole property could be used. 

Locating the addition to the south side, a new studio with parking below was a natural solution which allowed for a new courtyard outside the front door to be created. This decision critically altered the entire feel of the house. Instead of cars driving up just outside the front door and the view out the front of the house be a car bumper, a beautifully landscaped courtyard could be seen from inside.

As a response to the not only restrictive height and angle of light issues but importantly to the artistic needs of the owner painter. The roofs face two directions and addresses both the water views and, most importantly, provides constant and consistent north light in the studio throughout the day. 

Illuminated with indirect, natural north light, a perfect atmosphere for painting was created.  

The architectural appearance of the addition is modern but still similar to the original cottage with characteristics reminiscent of earlier island structure: vertical siding, clerestory windows, and low sloping roofs. Wood-paneled walls, high ceilings, and wooden floors uphold the cottage’s charm. To create an outdoor space, a sun deck was built that connects the main house with the studio. 

To finalize the look of the home, the owner wanted a color that would highlight the structure’s splendor and was motivated to mix a maroon-red shade that resembled Henri Matisse’s famous painting, “The Red Studio”. 

The Studio House design makes subtle references to the past and is respectful of the original house, without overwhelming it.