An ever-changing dwelling

“I believe that all architects should live in the houses they design so that they can truly experience the results of their projects,” remarks Jonathan Kearns, who serves as the representative for both the client, Spike Capital Corp, and the architectural firm that led the project, Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. “My wife Corrine Spiegel and I are currently residing in the house while we address minor deficiencies and additions. The building will gradually transform into its intended use when we construct our permanent residence further down the garden looking onto the lake.” The approximately 300 square metre space of the Endymion Guesthouse is designed to allow for numerous configurations of visitor accommodations depending on who is staying there. It was designed for the owners’ visiting family, friends and guests and can function as a large single family home, as four separate family suites or any combination in between.

The house draws its name from the mythical character Endymion and the picturesque landscape in which it stands, aiming to achieve functional harmony through a sustainable, energy self-sufficient lifestyle. The architectural concept revolves around two key principles: an efficient and uncomplicated structure spread across three levels and a primary south-facing orientation that maximises solar energy utilisation and natural illumination during the winter months. The elongated south-facing façade features recessed windows designed to provide shade during the summer months while capturing heat for the house in winter. To ensure effective insulation and establish an airtight seal, the house is constructed atop a concrete slab, with walls made from insulated concrete forms (ICF) and poured concrete. The flat roof serves a dual purpose, enabling rainwater harvesting and facilitating the installation of photovoltaic panels. The windows and doors are equipped with triple-glazed glass, and the radiant air-heated floor relies on a hydronic coil fed by the heat pump’s hot water. One of the biggest challenges of the project was determining how to affix the large format Laminam cladding panels from the Neve porcelain stoneware collection, which with their 3.5 mm thickness offered “the lightest, strongest and most beautiful cladding option, allowing the firm to create a ventilated rainscreen wall while avoiding any thermal bridging,” according to the citation for the Single-Family Residential Honourable Mention awarded to the project in the 2023 Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition. “The house changes each day with the seasons and the weather,” says Jonathan Kearns, who has lived there for about three years. “It educates us about nature, climate and weather, making us very aware while living in it. It feels like a machine, a vessel, an earth ship, a nature ship! As a result, we adjust and trim the sails regularly to maintain the best conditions for comfort.”