Rockridge House

Set high on a sloping site with expansive westward views to the water and islands, Rockridge House is an extensive renovation that celebrates both topography and horizon. The design prioritizes flow and connection between spaces while retaining key elements of the original layout, clarifying rather than replacing what was already there.

At entry, a minimalist stair hall becomes the organizing moment of the house. Daylight falls from a large skylight overhead as a thin metal guardrail traces the line of the stair, guiding movement down toward the rear yard. A glimpse of the view beyond naturally draws visitors forward, while living spaces branch from this central circulation spine.

Inside, existing walls and doors were removed to declutter and simplify, allowing panoramic views and natural light to define each space. The kitchen and dining areas are elevated above the living and family rooms, creating varied vantage points while bringing taller ceilings to the lower spaces. Slatted screens and subtle shifts in level shape the sequence, offering moments of reveal as one moves through the home.

The renovation emphasizes removal over addition, resulting in interiors that are calm and meditative yet versatile enough for gathering. Light tones and clean lines defer to the outdoors, ensuring each window frames the shifting play of water, light, and landscape. In this way, the house is both clarified and connected, shaped by its site and the experience of its views.

Photography - Andrew Latreille