A Home Designed to Be Unbreakable (House Tour)

The Sandbox by Peter Braithwaite Studio is a three-storey, timber-clad home in the Bay of Chaleur in Canada. As a home designed to be unbreakable, The Sandbox illustrates a pleasing simplification of ideas and forms in both architecture and interior design, as seen in this house tour.
Having spent their childhood summers holidaying in the area, the clients - Joshua and Chelsea Jenks - were aware of Canada’s climatic conditions and, as such, approached Peter Braithwaite Studio with an idea for a home designed to be unbreakable. Further, Joshua’s work in the construction industry and relationships with local trades laid the foundations for a collaborative partnership with Peter Braithwaite Studio across the architecture and interior design.
The resulting home is a timber-clad rectangular form that protrudes from the landscape. As a home designed to be unbreakable, it has a single opening framed in Corten steel in the front facade and a boxy, Corten steel-clad staircase, which provides access to a rooftop terrace. These materials were selected in response to the harsh Atlantic climate and to reflect the local building culture and construction practices. As Peter says, “the eastern white cedar and weathering steel will allow the building’s facades to age with grace and, in time, seamlessly blend within the weathered landscape,” supporting the notion of a home designed to be unbreakable.
The house tour highlights the interior design, which is an extension of the architecture. The kitchen, living and dining areas are located on the ground floor where white birch and raw concrete floors make way for a serene and calming interior. Further, the minimal approach to furniture, kitchen cabinetry and decor complements this aesthetic. The level above contains the bedroom, which also benefits from expansive views and access to natural light, and the rooftop deck completes the house tour. The house’s resounding minimalism is something Peter is most proud of, as he says, “although it has a very simple layout, very simple elevations and a simple form, we still feel the elevations are quite interesting and compositionally compelling.”
A process of restraint and refinement is central to this house in Canada - from the brief and scope to the design rationale and materiality. Further, as a home designed to be unbreakable, it exceeds the brief. Peter describes it as “an elegant, well-crafted dwelling that will stand the test of time.”
00:00 - Introduction to the Unbreakable House
00:57 - The History of the Site
01:53 - A Focused and Refined Brief
02:26 - An Organised Layout
02:58 - The Minimalist Material Palette
03:51 - A Local Construction Collaboration
04:53 - Proud and Unique Moments
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Photography by Ema Peter.
Architecture by Peter Braithwaite Studio.
Build by GOMA Construction, Pro Construction and Elevation Enterprises.
Landscape by Jenks Excavation.
Electrical Engineering by Aldeo Electric.
Structural Engineering by CORBO and Boucher Machining.
Plumbing by Gulliver Plumbing.
Filmed and Edited by O&Co Homes.
Production by The Local Project.
Location: Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada
The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in Canada. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
#Home #Canada #TheLocalProject

[@TheLocalProject]

We hope you enjoyed exploring The Sandbox by Peter Braithwaite Studio with us! This captivating three-storey timber-clad home in the Bay of Chaleur truly embodies the essence of resilience and architectural elegance. For more of the latest and greatest in architecture, interior design and house tours, be sure to order a copy of our book ‘10’: thelocalproject.com.au/product/10-celebrating-10-issues-of-the-local-project/

[@aprillr2158]

This is so neat to see you touring a place so close to where I live. Peter’s work is phenomenal.

[@mrvk39]

This is not my aesthetic but I still appreciate the architectural work here. The boxy design is striking and the small footprint is not noticeable inside, which offers very spacious, well proportioned rooms. Obviously, the views are spectacular. I love the view from the roof deck - it looks like you are on ship!

[@danielconradie191]

One drawback about shifting from a career in architecture into landscaping design is that it has become painfully obvious that most architects have absolutely no idea how to relate a building to its site, and oftentimes it's left merely as an afterthought. So you end up having this incredibly harsh approach. I'm hoping that the garden is a work in progress, and that this episode was merely filmed at least two years too early. But come now, all I can think of is wincing as I walk barefoot over an ocean of gravel. Ouch. The entrance elevation - although compositionally interesting - it is all unceremoniously revealed in one go. I would love to see some trees planted to at least allow the house to be revealed gradually, and to help break its immense scale down a bit. Very intimidating approach.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

So great to see something from Canada. Wonderful expression of the style. Love the extraneous core-ten steel staircase. So simple and yet so elegant. Well done.

[@michelfortier9563]

Sandbox is such an appropriate name. Really well done, small but cozy with a great view. Great idea on building with small footprint but going up in height.

[@TheLocalProject]

Totally agree!

[@surfband]

Striking warm modern structure, I can see this situated on a vast grassland, also. Our great prairies have the sound of the wind rushing through the silence as well as beautiful sunsets.

[@risdonreed6154]

Beautiful video style, don’t change!

[@TyLagaceLifts]

So cool to see something so unique from my area, love having the Canadian East Coast showcased 🇨🇦

[@TheLocalProject]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ginacrusco234]

Beautiful, classy, striking build. The surrounding cottages are much more modest.

[@SunShine-dk6rk]

Super inspirational, I build architectural models for fun and vids like this make my day, ❤❤❤. Thanks for a great vid to the uploader & home owners, best wishes to everyone.

[@TheLocalProject]

Great to hear!

[@sunnysideup33]

This is such a nice house. Minimal is perfect here and what a wonderful light! Love it.

[@TheLocalProject]

It really is!

[@iahorvath]

Happy to see a project from Canada? Great, spacious home that takes advantage of the amazing views!

[@MrPinkfloydian]

(again) GREAT JOB!!!

[@ModernARQ]

Amazing home!

[@arcticredpanda4598]

I love this home but even more I love the story of this home. Local indeed.

[@nooahchannel]

Beautiful.

[@x_xx3x]

To be honest, one of contemporary house representing those architects

[@StrawHat_SkyWalker]

The view is superbly beautiful 🥹

[@ThreeRunHomer]

If a goal is resilience against extreme weather in a vulnerable location, I’m surprised the house isn’t raised on piers/posts. Flooding must be a concern because there are boulders stacked out front. None of the homes are raised, so there must be a reason not to, but I wonder what that is?

[@Nynke_K]

The boulders can also just be there to keep sandy soil from blowing away but I do wonder just how low even spring tides must be there! This would not work on the North Sea coast where I grew up 😅

[@gaycha6589]

Prefab Sprout❤

[@thewindrises]

Like the house but not sure if Corten steel is a good idea in this use case. Corten steel does not do well in wet climate and may not do well against the salty ocean air.

[@d-manc2749]

I don't know about the weather over there but will the metal staircase is going to get hot af to step on to when exposed to intense beach sunlight or mostly cloudy the whole year over there? Amazing production as always.

[@ch37383]

Nice design in general, but to not elevate this structure and be prepared for both storm surge and rising tides is insane.

[@ifitistobeitisuptome]

Very nice!!

[@Lucas-vd2gx]

I got a new hobby and that is geolocating stuff! So without further ado, the before of Sandbox is just surreal: 2008 Queen Elizabeth Dr Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada

[@ivanklymenko]

🥰🥰🥰

[@ludovicomassa4506]

I can see plenty of Sean Godsell inspiration there

[@_Ninjakeks_]

Beautiful house, but does it fit in the environment/city?

[@davidnaus]

All the other houses have sloped roofs and are similar in style. Sandbox looks nice but doesn't fit in... in some countries, it wouldn't be allowed

[@MrPinkfloydian]

Repost here: Humans are very interesting (with their opinions). Here are a bunch of them complaining about a difference between what they are used to seeing here - the lack of a tour of this small house. And here I am (after a while), after watching this beautiful video about this beautiful piece of architecture. Here I am also VERY glad with the usual quality of their presentation of the houses. Great videography work, sound and interview! And again, I couldn't be more pleased with the way this place was shown - the way the spaces fitted into my brain. No complaints whatsoever! However, yesterday I just watched a video from the "Simple Dwelling" channel. It was longer than the 6 minutes these humans are complaining here. The videography work was absolutely miserable. "How the hell did they overexpose the interiors shots?!". Miserable! And the house, much smaller than this one, was poorly shown. Meaning: for example, I was left wondering about what was around the living room... and that shot was repeated. Just miserable! After watching this Sandbox (before reading these comments) I was left thinking: "Damn! I really must unsubscribe from the 'Simple Dwelling' channel". And I will still do it right away... PS: I really don't understand why certain humans have this type of blind ungratefulness after a good job like this. Could it be because they don't know... worse? Or could it be because they just know... better? Either way it doesn't feel right. Feels ungratefulness. Let's see: I'm also complaining here... about the undeserving-other channel. I mean... I wasn't even considering doing a rant like these on the other channel. But I could have considered leaving a constructive remark about the overexposing aspect of it. But... that's their (low) standards!!! Wouldn't matter at all. Maybe it would... But "The Local Project" standards are very high... but even though there are some poor souls who don't want to follow them anymore because of this missing tour... that wasn't even required!!! And I remember reading the same at this channel before. VERY weird!

[@rollinrock6696]

Unbreakable? maybe, but will it float?!

[@AB-ol5uz]

It's a shame they sited the house so close to its neighbor. They are dwarfing it - blocking light and preventing visual privacy for the neighboring home.

[@sampotter4455]

I'm sure the neighbors love the totally out of character box. No respect at all for the existing architecture of the neighborhood.

[@paranoidhumanoid]

Uh oh, flood zone.

[@timmo3351]

5:13 wait, how did he pronounce terrace??? 😂😂

[@gamby16a]

It's got some big Gwathmey vibes with the wood cladding and that cool external staircase. It just bums me out that so many of these videos feature nepo babies as the owners. Normal people don't own these houses.

[@snacking5908]

6 minutes of talking. 0 minutes of a tour of the place they were taking about

[@carlover4239]

This is the same style as all Local Project videos.

[@chronic_daydreamer]

Legit. This was a weird one.

[@snacking5908]

@@carlover4239 well I guess I don’t want to see another one then

[@carlover4239]

@@snacking5908 plenty of channels if you want a normal walkthrough. Local Project focuses on interviewing the architects, designers, and owners that make these homes possible. Not just a real estate agent who has no idea what they’re talking about speak in generic buzzwords.

[@MrPinkfloydian]

Humans are very interesting (with their opinions). Here are a bunch of them complaining about a difference between what they are used to seeing here - the lack of a tour of this small house. And here I am (after a while), after watching this beautiful video about this beautiful piece of architecture. Here I am also VERY glad with the usual quality of their presentation of the houses. Great videography work, sound and interview! And again, I couldn't be more pleased with the way this place was shown - the way the spaces fitted into my brain. No complaints whatsoever! However, yesterday I just watched a video from the "Simple Dwelling" channel. It was longer than the 6 minutes these humans are complaining here. The videography work was absolutely miserable. "How the hell did they overexpose the interiors shots?!". Miserable! And the house, much smaller than this one, was poorly shown. Meaning: for example, I was left wondering about what was around the living room... and that shot was repeated. Just miserable! After watching this Sandbox (before reading these comments) I was left thinking: "Damn! I really must unsubscribe from the 'Simple Dwelling' channel". And I will still do it right away... PS: I really don't understand why certain humans have this type of blind ungratefulness after a good job like this. Could it be because they don't know... worse? Or could it be because they just know... better? Either way it doesn't feel right. Feels ungratefulness. Let's see: I'm also complaining here... about the undeserving-other channel. I mean... I wasn't even considering doing a rant like these on the other channel. But I could have considered leaving a constructive remark about the overexposing aspect of it. But... that's their (low) standards!!! Wouldn't matter at all. Maybe it would... But "The Local Project" standards are very high... but even though there are some poor souls who don't want to follow them anymore because of this missing tour... that wasn't even required!!! And I remember reading the same at this channel before. VERY weird!

[@charliechang3744]

1 minute and 14 seconds of ads in a 6 minutes and 21 seconds video

[@xBris]

2:44 I bet the neighbours love that beautiful monolithic cube in their neighbourhood...

[@AbraGaming]

wtf where is the house tour? There's more to it than the living room I'm guessing

[@andrew4809]

kfihlfkldf hjfef rrorjgjs

[@mrs.rogers7582]

Wow I bet your neighbor loves you. What a shadow you cast.

[@3r4nd0]

It is nice but nothing special, the sofa looks very uncomfortable and the television is up in the wall way too high and next to the wall which means that the image of the television will reflect on the wall creating a very uncomfortable viewing.

[@thisisartyom]

I like the project, don’t like the video at all. Constant chatter and almost no tour of the place

[@marshallandnadinecuenca]

I have never heard anyone pronounce terrace like “tare ass” with the second syllable accented. The Corden steel must have affected his speech…

[@ArtbyOscarMejia]

This is such a boring and basic design, is just 4 walls with a concrete slab as a roof. With a bunch of windows without any protection from the elements, forget about opening a window if is drizzling.The only interesting aspect is the core ten steel details and even those fill pretty bland

[@Charleswco]

Unbreakable? Sheesh - more the opposite. Not a good idea to have Corten steel adjacent to salt water. Unfortunately the stair-case and reveal will have disintegrated into thin air within 10-15 years

[@XSimonY]

These local project videos are getting worse. I have no idea what the house looks like minus a few select details. I wanted ideas and see cool layouts, I am not sure of the purpose of subscribing to the channels any more.

[@LetsGo-wl5zo]

I'm out of here. Nerve-racking Slow pace and to much Bla Bla

[@Avatar711Wizard]

Boring