Back Bay Studio
Situated along a rocky outcropping that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, the Back Bay Studio is sited within the culturally rich community of Terence Bay. This small fishing community, located along Nova Scotia’s eastern shore, is made up of rocky cliff faces and rolling hillsides that extend down to the ocean’s edge.
The architectural form of the building is driven by a desire to frame the coastal landscape and respect the sensitive ecosystem that exists on the site. The procession through the studio invites the user from the entry into a double height volume that captures the dramatic coastal landscape as it winds down to the banks of Back Bay.
The the east and west walls of the studio were designed to work together to both
capture panoramic view over the barren landscape but also take advantage of passive cross ventilation. The overarching connection to the surrounding landscape felt throughout the building reinforces our firm’s commitment to create architecture that directly engages with the natural environment.
The bold expression of structure throughout the building presented an opportunity to integrate design and craftsmanship. The six large engineered timber rigid frames that make up the superstructure of the building create a rhythmic motif throughout the building and clearly define the spatial division of the interior program. Also, as the firm continues to grow, this structural strategy allows the interior to be adjusted to meet the company’s changing needs. Inspired by local building practices, the cladding of the exterior is composed of locally sourced Hemlock boards which enables the exterior of the studio to age naturally and withstand the harsh Atlantic climate.
Back Bay Studio provided a great opportunity to feature the integrated approach of the firm’s design and construction teams. It also gives prospective clients the ability to experience a built project that expresses the quality of craftsmanship and design ethos of the practice.
