QUIET LUXURY
At Omar Gandhi’s White Rock retreat, Fisher & Paykel appliances accent a tastefully understated kitchen
In the steep, forested nook, a narrow and winding driveway offers the only hint of a human habitation. Atop a rocky incline, the thicket of trees finally gives way to a clearing, revealing a striking open vista of the Gaspereau River Valley. Here, the White Rock residence quietly emerges from the earth, its weatheringsteel form appearing almost weightlessly suspended above the similarly reddish soil. Designed by acclaimed Canadian architect Omar Gandhi, it sits lightly on the land.
The project posed a uniquely intimate challenge for Gandhi. Envisioned as a private retreat for the Halifax- and Toronto-based architect — as well as close friends and extended family — the house is a tranquil haven from the urban bustle. And, like the best Omar Gandhi Architects designs, it exhibits a rare harmony of elegant contextual restraint and creative expression. Inspired by traditional hunting cabins and duck blinds hidden in the forest, the home’s simple yet monumental form is perched atop a compact entry pavilion and a series of slender columns. Above the dimly lit front door and moody stairway, however, the two-storey residence unfolds in a procession of open, light-filled interiors.
The serene bedrooms and bathrooms are topped by the upper storey’s generous, sun-filled living spaces, which are outfitted with natural wood and terracotta tile surfaces to create an elevated rustic ambiance. Here, the kitchen steals the show. Distinguished by its rigorous aesthetic purity, the simple galley setup is a composition of steel shelves and a bank of stainless-steel millwork. To create a harmonious space, a series of Fisher & Paykel appliances all but vanishes behind the gleaming surfaces.
“It was important that the appliances receded into the background,” says Gandhi. “Fisher & Paykel understood the desired outcome and offered plenty of options to help us achieve that effect. The appliances are designed to be very much adapted to the architecture, so there was a lot of latitude.” Indeed, the integrated refrigerator freezer, dishwasher and induction cooktop feel every bit as bespoke as the home itself. And, alongside the refrigerator, the integrated column wine cabinet is a quiet highlight, drawing the eye while remaining of a piece with the surrounding design language.
According to Gandhi, however, the choice of Fisher & Paykel appliances was more than a matter of looks. “The way the appliances lent themselves to a flexible design allows for a certain level of flow and ease of use — and, most importantly to me, it’s all really fun to use,” says the architect. Throughout the retreat, the combination of performance, durability and style makes the Fisher & Paykel appliances exceptional additions to a subtle yet stunning home.
MEXICO CITY
What did you work on for this issue?
I wrote about a community centre in Jalpa de Méndez (p. 44). I’ve always been interested in the limits of social architecture — those things that design alone can’t solve — so I enjoyed learning about how the architecture firm CCA navigated the challenges posed by the town’s political landscape, and what its hopes for the building are now.
Tell us about your current workspace.
When I first moved into my apartment, I thought it made sense that the smaller room be my ofice, and the larger one, with the nicer view, my bedroom. But I spend most of the day — and many late nights — at my desk, so I recently switched them. I like it so much more now. My street is noisy, but the view helps me relax and tune it all out. Currently, I’m working on my first book, a collection of essays entitled To and From, which will be published by Knopf, hopefully not too far in the future.