69
AUTUMN
|
EARLY WINTER
2016
|
Tomand Ednahavebeenmarried for over 55 years
andhavebeenmeticulously
art collecting throughout their lives together. Eachartifact, paintingand sculptureholds signifi-
cant meaning, thereforewhileplanning the next chapter of their lives, theBurri’s had specific
architectural design elements inmind includingawell thought out planof howandwhere to
display their treasures. “All theart was placedbefore the housewas up,” recounts Edna. “In
myhead, of course!”
Their needswere specific—a compact homewith smart use of space. They enlistedArchitect
MontgomeryPhilipKingwhoexplains, “In the springof2006, I receivedacall fromTomand
Edna that theywere interviewing somearchitects for thedesignof a new residence inOwen
Sound. The initialmeeting Ihadwith themwas toview theirextensiveart collection.”Monty,as
theBurri’snowknowhim,deliveredonhispromise to incorporate theircollection into thehome,
and inmore thanonecase, directly into theexterior limestone rockwalls.
Transparency through theuseofglasswasparticularlyabundant in theblueprints,and thesense
ofbeing ‘of theescarpment’wasnot lost in translation. “Thewholepremiseof the twobedroom
home is that it’san inside-outsidehouse,”explainsEdna. “You’renot supposed to really realize
whenyou’re insideor out.” Floor to ceilingwindows anddoorsmakeuseof natural light and
seamlessly integrate the four-season Escarpment colours. Son-in-law, John Barber of Barber
Glass introducedextraordinarydesignelementssuchas theglass landingatop themaplestairs,
which looksdown toartifactsheldon the lower levelwindowsill.
Vibrant, antique, handmade rugs in the entrance hall
warmlywelcome visitors and inhabitants and the colours
are echoed in the Three Venus Poses hanging above the
stairwell, painted by friend and artistWalter Bachinski,
a retired university professorwho lives inShanty Bay.
The foyer, which is strategically placed at an almost
mid-point of the house, separates the ‘public spaces’
from themore private spaces. The structure also leads
to a circulation spine running north/south, towhich
all rooms are connected.
