A Collection of Modern Farmhouses in Ontario
Striking forms challenge the notion of country living
City dwellers often dream of escaping the city, and some have done it — with great style. A country retreat can take many forms, but these modern takes on the classic barn shape resonate for many reasons. Built to hug the landscape, take in the country views, and optimize natural light, these modern Ontario farmhouses all work with nature to realize their homeowners’ vision.
Designed for four seasons, the yard of Bennington House has a fire pit and a water feature. Under a pergola structure, a gathering spot sitting amongst the low-maintenance plants is a comfortable hangout for starry winter nights or sunny summer days.
Bennington House Is a Heritage Home Reimagined
The 1910 build, just minutes away from Toronto’s scenic Beltline Trail, was too frail a structure to renovate. So, the home owners appointed Gloria Apostolou of Ontario’s Post Architecture, known for her skilful handling of heritage homes, to take on the sensitive architectural modern reconstruction of Bennington Farmhouse.
A naturalist’s dream, this Norfolk County getaway has bald eagles, bluebirds, coyotes, turtles and snakes at its doorstep. Photo by Arash Moallemi.
A Pair of City Dwellers Raise a Barn-Like Farmhouse in Rural Ontario
Nestled into the hillside of Norfolk County, this modern farmhouse style is one Toronto couple’s perfect antidote for big-city fatigue. “It’s really the house that claustrophobia built,” says owner Dan Nuttall, a retired landscape architect and professor, who, along with his husband Frank Infante, was looking for some breathing space outside the city.
Built to be sustainable for years to come, this country retreat by Solares Architecture is totally off the grid. Photo by Nanne Springer
A Farmhouse Goes Off the Grid in Prince Edward County
If you’re looking to build a country retreat, take note of where the hydro poles are. For a fee, Hydro One will connect your far-flung home to the grid. It’ll cost you, though. Recently faced with that dilemma, Solares Architecture presented an alternative solution to their client: forgo the grid altogether. “We said to our clients, ‘Hey, we can do an off-the-grid project, and you’ll never have an Ontario Hydro bill again,’”
An L-shaped modern farmhouse draws inspiration from its Loyalist roots. Photo by Janet Kimber
A Modern Farmhouse Pays Homage to its Predecessor
How a pair of Torontonians took their love of country modern to the next level with this farmhouse located in Ontario’s Prince Edward County. After taking regular trips to the county to visit friends, Kristine Remedios and John Silva, decided to find a retreat of their own, a search that saw them driving down country lanes, and stumbled on a six-acre site at its eastern edge with a dilapidated barn and farmhouse.
