Birders’ Nirvana

The goal was to add a sunroom that was bright, and maintained or added natural light to the existing home.  It would optimize rear yard views with quick access to openable windows/ports for wildlife photography.  It needed to accommodate a mom’s heirloom 60” dining room table and flow from the kitchen to the outdoor deck/patio.  A smaller deck was asked so as to not intrude into the rear yard and no railings were requested for unobstructed views of said yard.  

Due to a sensitivity to the sun, being outside for long periods was not an option for this couple.  We needed to create a space that could be opened up to experience the outdoors without being in the outdoors.

A bit of the outdoors was brought in with an accented wood beam in the cathedral ceiling (the excess was used as a mantel above the fireplace) and the engineered euro oak flooring.  The beam continues into the outdoors in the roof gable.  The transom windows on the east maintain privacy from the neighbours while adding light to the space.  The angled transom windows with the six-foot window and sliding patio door beneath, create a framed view of the rear yard wildlife corridor.  The north-west corner windows open to allow for an unobstructed view for photographing birds and small creatures that venture into this couple’s backyard oasis.

The deck and privacy fence were left as naturally weathered to create a cohesiveness with the backyard oasis and the gazebo (which is a bird blind).  The exterior wood siding in a natural earth tone compliments the surrounding environment.

The flow from the kitchen/dining room to the 4 season room to the deck and patio is seamless.

The feeling that this addition brings is like being outside, up close and personal with nature.