Jib House
Overlooking the rugged coastline of Chester, Nova Scotia, where sailboats dot the horizon, Jib House by Omar Gandhi Architects captures the essence of maritime living.
The project narrative is deeply rooted in its context, balancing dramatic landscapes and sweeping coastal views with the practical needs of a contemporary family home. The result is a dwelling that integrates well with its surroundings, utilising familiar roof forms and natural materials to echo the local architecture while paying homage to the area’s rich, century-old maritime legacy.
The steep topography of the site became a pivotal element in the design strategy. What could have been a challenge is transformed into a striking feature, as the design cascades over a series of board-formed concrete walls towards the ocean, leading to the pool, fireplace and sauna areas – spaces intended to be enjoyed year-round with breathtaking views. Internally, the layout steps with the site, creating expansive volumes and intimate moments across levels, shaped by the evolving form and materiality of the exterior.
Form and external materiality were driven by a desire for the residence to sit comfortably with the existing buildings at street level. It reflects common pitched roof forms and natural materials, while dramatic glazing frames the sweeping, nearly 270-degree vistas. An impressive wall of windows in the pool house is also fully operable, designed to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, allowing occupants to fully immerse themselves in the coastal atmosphere.
Jib House by Omar Gandhi Architects is a well-crafted response to its unique coastal setting, blending traditional maritime influences with contemporary design sensibilities.
The home’s material palette is a carefully curated selection designed to complement its coastal context. A limestone base grounds the structure, while a combination of eastern white and western red cedar cladding adorns the walls and roofs. This choice of materials not only ties the home to its natural surroundings but also ensures it will weather gracefully over time, developing a patina that reflects its seaside location. Internally, the use of warm, natural materials continues, with a restrained mix of limestone and white oak creating a serene backdrop that allows the spectacular ocean views to take centrestage. The understated elegance extends to the home’s central feature – a striking spiral staircase crafted entirely from solid timber using advanced five-axis machining techniques. Serving as both a functional element and architectural statement, the beauty, solidity and craftsmanship of the staircase are a joy to behold.
Jib House by Omar Gandhi Architects is a well-crafted response to its unique coastal setting, blending traditional maritime influences with contemporary design sensibilities. From its terraced landscape to its carefully framed vistas, every aspect of the home invites inhabitants to engage with the rhythms of the sea and the rich nautical heritage of Chester, Nova Scotia.
Architecture, interior design and landscape design by Omar Gandhi Architects. Build by MRB Contracting.
