The Rock is a private home in Whistle Hill, Canada, designed by London-based design studio Gort Scott. Rooted in the landscape, the building includes a six-bedroom house and a two-bedroom guest room connected by an external terrace. The building's role is to enhance the natural environment and reveal its drama and specificity. Instead of overwhelming the surrounding rock, the building deliberately highlights the rock peak by placing it in the center of the platform, creating a visual impact and attracting the eye of passers-by. From the outside to the inside, from strategy to detail, the building is designed with the human experience in mind.

Concrete flows between external and internal surfaces, blurring the boundaries between the dwelling and the landscape. Internally the polished timber, textiles, and integrated fireplaces add visual and sensory warmth, ensuring a sense of intimacy and enclosure. The internal timber linings are locally-sourced Hemlock, specified for reasons of sustainability and to subtly reference the Western Hemlock trees on site; further inviting the landscape to permeate the living spaces.

Sustainable energy strategies and high-quality detailing ensure tranquillity throughout. The envelope is built to Passivhaus standards, and a prefabricated timber panel system for the upper levels ensures utmost quality and environmental performance. Passive climate control strategies address the extreme climate variations without compromising design ambition. At every scale, from the building’s grounding in the landscape, to the minutiae of joinery detailing and bespoke fittings, the home celebrates material expression. Without sacrificing its functionality as an enjoyable family home, the building transforms the site and demonstrates innovative ways of connecting architecture, landscape and the individual.