Kennebec Lakehouse / Zerafa Studio

Curated by Paula Pintos

Architects: Zerafa Studio
Area: 278 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs:Tom Arban
Manufacturers: Alumilex Architectural Aluminum Systems, Deckbracket, ROCKWOOL, SIGA, Scavolini, Vicwest, Wittus
Lead Architects: Jason Zerafa
Structural Engineer: Optimum Structural Corp.
MEP: Morteza Hagshenas
General Contractor: Tarasick Carpentry

Text description provided by the architects. Kennebec Lakehouse is a year-round vacation home located on Kennebec Lake, a finger-lake in Arden Ontario. The 2.8-acre site is defined by its dramatic topography, sloping down from the roadway to the south to Kennebec Lake from south to north. The site is densely wooded with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees and features a prominently exposed rock ledge extending the full width of the property parallel to the shoreline. By locating the house on the lake-side of this ledge, we are able to build a 2 level house with a partially exposed lower level to create a walkout with minimal excavation.

Programmatically, the house is defined by two distinct zones, the house proper on the main level, clad in ship-lap cedar siding, and a lower poured-in-place concrete volume containing service space, a recreational room, and a guest suite. The simple rectangular plan is oriented in an east-west direction along the exposed rock ledge to exploit the uninterrupted lake views to the north and maximize privacy from adjacent properties. Glazing is mostly limited to both levels of this northern facade.

The plan is organized around the central common space containing the entry foyer, living room, kitchen, and dining areas in a large column-free space. Bedrooms are located at either end of this space and are oriented towards the lake views along the north facade.

The house features a moderately-sloped gable roof with deep overhangs to provide protection for the long north and south facades. On the lakeside, this overhang sponsors an extended flat roof- a canopy to provide partial cover for a substantial main level deck and barbecue station. The barbecue station is housed in a concrete tower that is the primary deck and canopy support. The upper volume is clad in ship-lap western red cedar siding, stained a dark charcoal grey to help the house recede into the wooded site and feature minimally from the lake.

Lakehouse has been designed to exceed the latest SB-12 energy performance criteria, with exceptionally high R-values for the roof, wall, and slab assemblies, airtightness considerations, advanced rain-screen wall assemblies and Alumilex high-performance triple-glazed aluminum windows and doors with argon filled IGU units with Dbl- low-E coatings.