Perched dramatically above the Northumberland Strait on the remote west coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the Ridge On The Chimney rental cottages by the acclaimed MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects offer a profound meditation on place and coastal shelter. This collection of simple, yet powerfully evocative, wood-clad structures is more than just a hospitality venture; it’s a heartfelt expression of identity and care, designed to share a “little piece of paradise” with the world. Through architecture, the project captures the region’s vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes.
The founder, Cape Breton native Scott Fitzgerald, emphasizes that they are in the “smiles and memories business,” aiming to blend sensitive design with the warmth of Canadian craftsmanship. The cluster is strategically composed of four individual units: two compact 1-bedroom bunkies and two larger 2-bedroom cabins and bunkies, ranging from 515 to 1,275 square feet. Every detail, from the handpicked local furnishings to the architectural form, reflects a passion for creating connection between guests and the rugged, natural environment of Chimney Corner, Canada.
The architectural placement is critical, with the cottages intentionally positioned along a north-south “ridge” in the landscape where the terrain drops sharply to the west and rises into mountains to the east. MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple’s vision is rooted in regional architecture, drawing directly from the local vernacular architecture of gabled agricultural barns and rugged coastal fish shacks. This contemporary use of familiar gabled forms provides an instant sense of belonging while establishing a robust and enduring dialogue with the striking site.
Designed for endurance, the structures feature a resilient “taut skin” form with zero-eaves detailing, a necessary response to the extreme local climate. The project is specifically engineered to withstand the powerful “Les Suêtes” winds—a frequent local weather phenomenon bringing gusts up to 200 km/h—ensuring the coastal design offers year-round protection. This adherence to an ethos of “economy and place” blends traditional geometries with modern, rigorous detailing, using minimal materials to achieve significant architectural impact.
Inside, the design masterfully balances opposing spatial qualities. The experience begins with recessed entry corner “bites” that provide initial shelter, leading into a compressed entry sequence. This transition opens dramatically into a vaulted living, kitchen, and dining space. The architects employed the concept of refuge and prospect: the bedrooms provide a sense of protected privacy (the refuge), while the open, expansive main living areas foster a strong, visual connection to the landscape (the prospect) through large, carefully framed glazing overlooking the beach.
Fostering a shared sense of community is central to the project’s success. While guests enjoy personal retreat in their private rental cottages, a communal outdoor kitchen, firepit, and seating area located just down the hill invites connection and shared experiences among visitors. This duality—personal retreat combined with social opportunity—perfectly supports the client’s vision. Ridge On The Chimney is an exercise in simple, quiet strength, and honesty, embodying the practice’s commitment to cultural responsiveness to local landscapes, and is set to be the cornerstone of a more ambitious masterplan that will eventually include a spa and additional homes.