Perched above a river valley, Hilltop Cottage is an off-grid seasonal retreat that balances tradition and modernity while memorializing the site of its owners’ engagement. Designed as a place of prospect and refuge, it serves as a summer gathering space, winter shelter, and seasonal workspace.
Clad in western red cedar shingles over a local fieldstone base, the cottage draws from maritime material culture and vernacular precedents such as Scottish shielings and Irish tower houses. Sliding barn doors conceal openings, creating a monolithic form that transforms when opened into a framed instrument for viewing the landscape. Vaulted skylights and a “house within a house” concept create a luminous central living space.
Constructed with 98% wood sourced within 40 kilometres, the project prioritizes local craftsmanship, renewable materials, and low environmental impact. Sustainably harvested timber, reclaimed white pine flooring, and handmade cedar and oak elements reinforce its regional character, while durable wood construction ensures resilience against the region’s harsh freeze-thaw climate.
JURY COMMENT(S)
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple’s Hilltop Cottage blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The shingle-clad, hip-roofed form—reminiscent of modest vernacular structures—frames distant views over the valley and river below. The jury was impressed by the project’s apparent modesty, paired with the sophistication of its structural resolution, achieved without the use of structural steel. Of particular note is the opening of one corner of the house through a two-way cantilever, forming a carefully composed viewing platform. The jury also recognized the precision of the building’s orientation, which produces a siting that feels both deliberate and effortless within the landscape.
