Why draw a cold steel veil over a bright, airy home that has no walls or doors?

Owners of Veil House in Winnipeg gave architect task of balancing light, privacy

When the original owners of Veil House in Winnipeg contacted architect Sasa Radulovic to discuss their plans for a new home, the householders’ priorities were at odds. Even though they desired privacy, they wanted the home to feel airy. What to do?

Radulovic, principal at 5468796 Architecture, says the conflicting impulses led to a unique home through the creation of a courtyard in the middle of the home and a perforated weathered steel veil design around the house.

Current owners Bob and Eileen Stuebing love the airiness of their 5,735-square-foot home, especially the interior courtyard. “We use the outdoor kitchen extensively,” Bob says. “We have our pre-dinner drink there most evenings and we regularly have a post-dinner drink around the fire table.”

Veil House is arranged on a loose nine-square grid organized around the courtyard. “The inner courtyard gives access to sunlight and natural cross ventilation, allows natural light into all rooms, offers temperature regulation, and improves (the) psychological benefits of connecting with nature, while still maintaining … privacy,” says Radulovic.

The living spaces are open to one another. The family, dining and kitchen spaces are framed by solid utility blocks with washrooms, laundry, fireplace, storage and appliances eliminating the need for walls and doors.

The “veil” around the house is made of weathered steel, which has its own patina as a protective layer to make it more durable than conventional coated steel.

“Strategically perforated over windows and balconies, the veil creates a sense of wonder and curiosity from the street, while elegantly filtering daylight into the interiors and allowing exterior views without compromising privacy,” says Radulovic. The structure encloses the private patio on top of the garage, allowing light in and providing privacy.

The couple who owned the house originally wanted the home to be accessible as they grew older and had a ramp built, creating the inside flow of the home from the first floor, with its living areas, to the main bedroom on the second floor.

For the Stuebings, the home is perfect. “We love the house in its entirety, and although it is … large … the rooms are all comfortable in size. And we use every room.”

“All second-storey windows are veiled, while lower-level windows are either protected with deciduous trees or large overhangs, resulting in minimized heat gain,” says architect Sasa Radulovic.

JAMES BRITTAIN PHOTOS An interior ramp provides universal access across the home’s two floors.

Kitchen and living areas on the first floor are all open so residents can hear and see each other.