Office: Ian MacDonald Architect | ArchDaily

House in High Park / Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.

Hana Abdel — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We have always marveled at the way an apparent shortcoming or liability related to a given site condition turns out to be the attribute that informs the essential character of a project, and such is the case for this house. The challenge was to make something of the unusual vacant property where the original dwelling had been completely lost to fire. Our site represented a missing tooth in a single-family residential neighborhood. The anomaly that defined the site, however, was the fact that its southern boundary did not extend to the public street, subverting the fact that one could not enter the dwelling from the "front". Entry through the ravine landscape was not possible and we decided that its restoration/naturalization should be our priority as this ravine landscape would provide a visual amenity to the public realm on Indian Valley Crescent, the adjacent parkette, and to the residents of the house.

Go Home Bay Cabin / Ian MacDonald

Cristobal Rojas — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 11:00:00 +0000

The four-season family cabin by architect Ian MacDonald is a deeply thoughtful response to the cultural heritage landscape of Go Home Bay, an enclave of Ontario’s Georgian Bay archipelago. The area was once immortalized by the Group of Seven and abounds with natural beauty. Rocky islands are topped by scraggly white pines shaped by the west winds. However, the landscape is also increasingly vulnerable to development. Over-scaled structures have become evermore commonplace, dominating the context, dwarfing the surroundings and spoiling one’s experience of the natural realm.

Meadow House / Ian MacDonald Architect

Javier Gaete — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

This retreat for a family of four is located on a 90-acre property of rolling meadow with an historic farmhouse and barn. Our objective was to create a quiet dwelling that preserves a meaningful connection with its landscape and with its historic settlement.