Jib House Chester Contemporary Coastal Architecture Design

Jib House: A Tribute to Chester’s Maritime History

In the historic village of Chester, Nova Scotia, Canadian architecture studio Omar Gandhi Architect designed a distinctive residence known as Jib House. The building features façades clad in two types of cedar wood, giving it a natural appearance that harmonizes with its coastal surroundings.

Location and Architectural Inspiration

The house is situated on a triangular coastal lot, which inspired its name. Its design draws from the shape of the “Jib” sail, a slender, triangular foresail traditionally used on sailing boats. This connection between architectural form and maritime function highlights the site’s strong identity within the project.

Connection to Local Heritage

The intention was not merely to create a contemporary coastal home but to celebrate the region’s rich maritime history. This deep connection to the village’s heritage is reflected in the fact that the Chester Race Week has been held annually for more than 150 years, reinforcing the presence of maritime culture within the community.

A Design that Responds to Family Needs and Place

The clients wanted the home to reflect the value of its unique coastal location while offering an open, flexible space that could accommodate their growing family. Accordingly, both the interior and exterior design convey a sense of spaciousness and openness.

Spatial Layout

The residence includes six bedrooms, with generously extended spaces along the waterfront façade, allowing every family member to enjoy uninterrupted views of the natural landscape.

Building Materials and Sense of Place

When it came to material selection, the cladding for the walls and roof was inspired by light-toned Eastern white cedar, an essential element in Nova Scotia’s traditional coastal architecture. In contrast, striking features of red cedar were incorporated to give the design a contemporary, modern touch, blending authenticity with renewal.

The Core Design Concept

Architect Omar Gandhi explains that the central idea behind the home’s design is a series of red cedar–clad volumes, varying in size and proportion, that slide into the main gabled form, almost entirely wrapped in Eastern white cedar.
This interplay of colors and materials gives the building a strong visual presence, while these inserted volumes frame unique views of both near and distant landscapes from the home’s key social spaces.

A Solid Base and Dynamic Pathways

The base of the residence is clad in Indiana limestone, grounding the structure with a sense of permanence and harmony with its natural surroundings. In contrast, a sequence of board-formed concrete walls creates dynamic, layered pathways that twist and intersect in an architecturally engaging manner.

Accompanying Outdoor Spaces

These pathways ultimately lead to a collection of outdoor amenities, including:
• A ground-level swimming pool
• An integrated hot tub
• A pool house featuring a sauna and a wood-burning fireplace

This seamless connection between the main structure and its exterior elements reflects a holistic vision of coastal living.

Layered Interior Organization

Visitors enter the home from the upper floor, where the entryway leads to a compact zone that includes a glass balcony overlooking the various living areas. This level accommodates five bedrooms, each enhanced with red cedar–clad window boxes that function as both practical and aesthetic balconies.

Connection Between Levels

A grand spiral staircase links the upper and lower floors, crafted from solid wood using advanced five-axis CNC milling, showcasing precision and high-quality craftsmanship.

On the lower level, the main living room takes center stage, distinguished by double-height windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, flooding the space with natural light and framing expansive coastal views.
The interior atmosphere is further enriched by a stone-clad fireplace, positioned just in front of the dining room and kitchen, creating a natural flow for daily life. Adjacent to these communal spaces, the sixth bedroom completes the home’s interior layout.

Harmony Between Interior and Exterior

The home’s interior identity seamlessly extends to its exterior, where a calm and subtle color palette creates a visually soothing atmosphere. Elegant touches of limestone and cedar finishes further strengthen the connection between the natural materials used in construction.

Shared Spaces and Spatial Connectivity

All common areas within the home are linked to a spacious terrace that serves as a central gathering point for family and guests. One of the cantilevered glass boxes also houses a sunken seating area, offering a unique way to experience the coastal scenery.

Extension into Nature

The design transitions smoothly from interior to exterior, as the natural dip in the landscape leads down to the pool below, reflecting harmony between the surrounding environment and the architectural plan.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Jib House represents a distinctive architectural experience that blends openness to the maritime landscape with harmony rooted in local heritage. Among its most striking qualities is the thoughtful use of natural materials and the smooth transition of spaces between indoors and outdoors, providing residents with a sense of comfort and connection to place.

On the other hand, some may find that the prominent wooden volumes occasionally overshadow the overall simplicity of the composition, while the strong emphasis on ocean views could limit openness toward the immediate surroundings.

Balancing these strengths and reservations, the project nonetheless stands as an engaging addition to contemporary coastal architecture in Chester.