Baldie Hill Bunkie Published

Daymark is honoured and incredibly proud to have the Baldie Hill Bunkie featured in two prestigious design publications. Both Dwell with a Budget Breakdown Article and DesignLines have brought a project that’s very close to my heart to the masses!

Here is a quick Question and Answer taking a deeper dive into some of the design considerations and constraints that made this project so special. Thank-you Liz and Matt for your trust and hard work, I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to design this memorable tiny home.

Question and Answer

1. What were the project parameters provided by the client?

The clients; a young couple, had recently purchased the subject property, we were presented with a natural untouched site that was heavily treed with a large section of exposed Canadian Shield, known locally as Baldie Hill. Following a drone scan of the site, we established the best location to seat each structure, ironically that was atop the hill for the main dwelling and to the base for the bunkie. Architecturally the client provided considerable freedom to create a unique design with minimal parameters with the overall goal of producing a sustainable off-grid structure.

Visually we aligned quite well, with the owners looking towards a modern form, with natural cladding that would blend into the surrounding landscape and provide an uninterrupted, gentle touch to the land. This meant looking for opportunity to maintain the existing site grades and avoid as much tree removal as possible, outside of adding a driveway for site access we achieved this goal.

2. Was there a vision or inspiration for the work?

The overall vision was to create a modern off-grid structure which respected and integrated into the surrounding landscape, being heavily inspired by the natural surrounds of the Ontario wilderness this was perfect. Leaning into a tree species that grows in the area, we sourced locally harvested timber that was used for the exterior cladding, left to weather and blend back into the tree and rock backdrop.

To move one step closer, trees that were felled for driveway access were saved, flat cut and used on the interior by our resourceful clients. 

3. What are some of the challenges the project faced?

Designing a structure that does not require excavation, blasting or tree removal can be a significant challenge when dealing with untouched sites, but the ultimate result is a new structure that sits into the landscape and provides a mature final setting. This integration ultimately drove us to place the proposed structures in existing clearings.

The site was quite remote with no access to municipal services, water, gas, or electricity. In order to provide a modern dwelling with the necessary amenities to support full time living we had to produce these means on site. Heat is provided by a small wood burning stove, and electricity from a solar array placed on the roof, water from a drilled well and waste water to a class 4 septic system. Given the size of the Bunkie at 301 sq. ft. this could be achieved but required a larger vision to include the main dwelling.

Ultimately our clients were able to live in the bunkie full time while completing the construction of their dwelling, using the build as a laboratory for experimentation in construction methodology, what works, what doesn’t and then implementing slightly modified conditions into the primary dwelling.  

4. How did you land on the Material / Colour palette used?

The goal was to blend seamlessly back into the landscape, the use of a natural eastern white cedar left untreated would slowly weather to a soft grey patina. Complimenting this with a grey standing seam roof and fenestrations would yield a result that gave the appearance of being born from the land and sit naturally within the treed backdrop and exposed Canadian Shield. 

5. What are some of the special features?

At 301 sq. ft. the project fits a living space, bedroom, full 3 piece washroom, mechanical closet and loft with additional living space. While small it’s fully capable of meeting all living requirements for year round use, and goes far beyond being just a “bunkie”. Being located on such a beautiful site nestled in the forest with waterfront it embodies a complete Canadian experience.

See the full project write up here! In addition to the full Articles: Dwell Budget Breakdown and DesignLines Spaces Feature