Eastport Residence

Located on one of the few sandy beaches on the island of Newfoundland the Eastport Residence was designed to be as sustainable and cost effective as possible for a couple looking to downsize from a much larger house in St. John’s.

Coastal Newfoundland can be incredibly wet, snowy and windy.  The existing trees already provided a natural buffer to the weather and against erosion of the site into the ocean.  The house was sited in a natural clearing near the road taking advantage of an existing view corridor to the ocean.

The house is oriented East-West on the site to maximize solar gains while eliminating the need for air conditioning.  The overhanging wood roof elements along the south elevation serve to passively allow energy from the sun into the interior spaces in winter months while blocking them in summer.  An 8” exterior wall was employed for increased insulation.

With the home owner’s future in mind everything required for living in the home has been included on the first floor, just 1 step up from the exterior grade.  The program contains an open concept Kitchen, Dining, and Living Room, two Bedrooms, two Bathrooms, a Loft, and a Garage. A large opening between the first and second floors makes the living space feel larger than one would expect from a home with a footprint of just 900 ft².

The design of the Eastport Residence is the synthesis of its design criteria creating a site specific home resonating with lives of its inhabitants.

Design Team:  Chris Woodford, Taryn Sheppard, Jessica Stanford 

Photography:  Julian Parkinson, Format Films, Tobias Romaniuk (interiors)