LONGHOUSE
RURAL MODERN
by SOMA Studio

"There's a sense of calmness about it. The whole focus of the house is living on the landscape"
- Carolyn Ireland, The Globe and Mail
After more than 25 years of designing and building residential homes and interiors in Toronto, we were excited by the idea of developing a series of private Rural Modern residences for SOMA Studio. These would be all-season country houses with waterfront acreage, spaces in tune with the landscape and the natural environment. A place to unwind with family and friends. LONGHOUSE was the first to be completed. Now under construction is RIVERHOUSE, our second Rural Modern residence. RIVERHOUSE is sited on 11 acres and has over 500ft of frontage on the Napanee River with a conservation area on the opposite shore.
At the end of a tree-lined drive in a private meadow on the Napanee River, sits LONGHOUSE.
The six-and-a-half acre property is bordered by century-old Maple and Bur Oak trees and traversed by a stream and natural spring that cascades over limestone boulders to the river below. Across the water is the Cataraqui Trial Conservation Area.
LONGHOUSE, was the first Rural Modern Residence designed and built by Andrew Fee_SOMA Studio.

"Classics outlive trends enriching their patina over time."
Andrew Fee's design for LONGHOUSE was inspired by the vernacular architecture of barns and historical limestone structures surrounding Kingston, Ontario (the Limestone City) and the steeply pitched steel roofs of rural Quebec angled to remove the snow load of Canadian winters.
It's sleek contemporary silhouette incorporates traditional stone masonry, a timber frame main structure, 22 gauge standing seam steel roof, Maibec spruce wood siding and metal-clad exterior Douglas Fir windows from Loewen.

LONGHOUSE_PHASE 1
By 2022 Phase 1 of the build was complete, comprising 4,828sf of living space on three levels. On the Main Level, the 30ft. x 50ft. timber frame has a 35ft high peaked ceiling, a flat roof Entryway and a Primary Suite with a 16ft cathedral ceiling. The third level has a Loft and Gallery overlooking the Main Level. Landscape features include a River Porch viewing area cantilevered over the Napanee River and a timber frame Garage with steel roof for two cars.
South Face
South Face
Window Wall and garden with board-faced cement retaining wall with inset lighting
Window Wall and garden with board-faced cement retaining wall with inset lighting
The 1,000 s/f deck facing the Napanee River in moonlight
The 1,000 s/f deck facing the Napanee River in moonlight
View from the deck into the living_dining area
View from the deck into the living_dining area
Detail of Statuario Marble kitchen backsplash and hand-finished white oak cabinets
Detail of Statuario Marble kitchen backsplash and hand-finished white oak cabinets
Wideview showing the kitchen area with timber ceiling and Loft above
Wideview showing the kitchen area with timber ceiling and Loft above
Custom white oak Kitchen view
Custom white oak Kitchen view
Hand-finished walnut panelled Entrance Foyer with custom Doorway Screen
Hand-finished walnut panelled Entrance Foyer with custom Doorway Screen
Walnut panelled Entrance Foyer detail with Custom solid mahogany Front Door.
Walnut panelled Entrance Foyer detail with Custom solid mahogany Front Door.
Wide view of Sitting_Dining area with 10 foot high double doors opening out to the deck and Napanee River views
Wide view of Sitting_Dining area with 10 foot high double doors opening out to the deck and Napanee River views
Dining Room_Sitting area view
Dining Room_Sitting area view
STUV engineered wood burning fireplace with Spanish tile and hand finished white oak surround
STUV engineered wood burning fireplace with Spanish tile and hand finished white oak surround
Principal Bathroom with walnut vanity and Italian porcelain tile
Principal Bathroom with walnut vanity and Italian porcelain tile
Principal Bedroom with 14 foot high cathedral ceiling and private doors opening to the deck and Napanee River views
Principal Bedroom with 14 foot high cathedral ceiling and private doors opening to the deck and Napanee River views
Hand-made solid red oak staircase and handrail leading to Second Level Loft
Hand-made solid red oak staircase and handrail leading to Second Level Loft
Second Level Loft with balcony walkway and skylights
Second Level Loft with balcony walkway and skylights
Cantilevered River Porch with views over the Napanee River and Cataraqui Trail
Cantilevered River Porch with views over the Napanee River and Cataraqui Trail
Garden with Hemlock board-faced concrete retaining wall.
Garden with Hemlock board-faced concrete retaining wall.
LONGHOUSE PHASE 2
In June of 2022, LONGHOUSE became the home of a new family intent on carrying on the legacy of this unique property. The new owners approached Andrew Fee with a commission to design and build an extension to the existing house that retained the same quality and design aesthetic. The new addition is a 2070/sf structure housing a 850/sf garage for two electric vehicles with a 720/sf Guest Suite and Ensuite Bathroom above attached to the main house through a 500/sf enclosed walkway.
PHASE 2 - Building the Extension
PHASE 2 - Building the Extension