What defines the aesthetic of a Canadian home? ⁠

Canadian architecture is a beautiful fusion of global influences. From Georgian to Colonial to Craftsman styles, Canadian designers have reinterpreted them in ways that feel distinctly Canadian. But if we were to define the essence of what makes a Canadian home truly Canadian, we look to The Timberframe Home. ⁠
⁠
This design celebrates nature, values tree preservation, and focuses on function over form. It has a strong presence without overwhelming its surroundings, grounded in the landscape but still uniquely captivating. ⁠
⁠
We call this style of architecture Natural Modern — a blend of natural materials, modern comfort, and respect for the environment. A home that embodies Canadian values and our connection to the land.⁠
⁠
Now more than ever, we’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be Canadian. It give us great pride to have created a design aesthetic that we see as a uniquely Canadian architectural style.

⁠

Defining Natural Modern

Natural Modern describes a modern home that exemplifies the ideals of comfort and family living. The Natural Modern aesthetic combines the simplicity of modern design with the warmth and elegance of traditional architecture. We see Natural Modern as a uniquely Canadian architectural style. ⁠
⁠
The Natural Modern approach is about respect for the land and environment. Its about sourcing local materials and fusing them into the ground; harmonizing the building with the land. ⁠
⁠
Our Natural Modern design philosophy is rooted in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style architecture. A key characteristic of Prairie Style is horizontality; it’s an architectural tool that ties a home to the landscape, grounding the home to the property. We use horizontal lines in the Natural Modern style to bridge a contemporary building with the natural landscape. Horizontality can be seen in all elements of the design, from the extreme roofline, to the window orientation, to the linear nature of the stone and siding.⁠
⁠
The Natural Modern aesthetic is a mix of opposites: rustic stone juxtaposed against smooth, refined elements. These familiar materials not only create interest and complexity, but they connect a modern home with its (typically) traditional neighbours.⁠
⁠
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style architecture is celebrated for its integration with the natural environment. A characteristic of Prairie Style is the exaggerated eave overhangs, which reinforce the linear quality of the design. Large overhangs help to ground the home and create a sense of approachability.⁠
⁠
A consistent architectural element of the Natural Modern style is that stone or wood siding never connects with the roofline. By only having window or dark metal panel touch the soffit, it creates the illusion that the roof “floats” above the home.⁠
⁠

Contact a member of our team today to learn more about natural modern design and our custom home design process.