TrayStudio

The waterfall retreat preserves the original Howard House, a humble structure that has undergone rounds of reuse and extension over decades as a time capsule of the family’s collective memory. Retaining the cottage not only honors the history of the site but also allows compliance with current street setback regulations, minimizing the construction's environmental impact and reducing the impact on local biodiversity. With the Level 1 envelope of the cottage left untouched, the new extension unfolds at the basement level, reaching west toward the creek and forest to accommodate additional programs. At its center, a winter garden introduces natural light and ventilation, around which bedrooms and communal spaces are arranged. Each bedroom functions as a private suite with forest views and windowed bathrooms, while the winter garden can fully open in favorable seasons to dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, promoting cross-ventilation and passive cooling. Above, a new glazed living room is positioned at the northwest corner, cantilevering as a belvedere over the waterfall. The living space shares the south terrace with the dining space and is connected to the cottage through a vegetated trellis. These spaces can open entirely and form a continuous space depending on weather and events.