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Winnipeg’s Veil House, designed by 5468796 Architecture, clinched the top spot in the “Completed Buildings-House & Villa” category at the World Architecture Festival 2023 in Singapore, selected from 18 shortlisted candidates from all corners of the globe.
The project challenges conventional architectural norms in a city marked by early 20th-century suburban sprawl. The residence follows a loose nine-square grid surrounding a central courtyard. Balancing airiness and privacy, the design blends open outdoor spaces with well-defined interior enclosures. The structure is enveloped in a weathered steel “veil,” draped over utility blocks and following the ramp’s trajectory. The veil not only adds an industrial aesthetic rooted in the city’s manufacturing history, but also perforates to filter daylight.
Floating in space and gently peeling away from the house, the veil forms interstitial spaces on both floors. The weathering steel—with a velvet-like patina—ensures longevity in Winnipeg’s climate. This material choice, combined with familiar geometries inspired by neighbouring architectural styles, makes Veil House a harmonious blend of architecture and sculpture.
In a departure from typical suburban homes, this unique configuration eliminates the need for traditional walls and doors. The interior layout features free-flowing open living spaces framed by solid utility blocks, creating spatial definition while maintaining visual and acoustic connections. Double-height spaces with varied characteristics contribute to the dynamic design, including sloped ceilings, infinite ceilings, double volumes, and open volumes.
Situated at grade, an internal ramp facilitates universal access across two floors and brings natural light into the basement. The ramp’s alignment with the north wall creates an extension of interior spaces to the courtyard and surrounding yard, a rarity in a snowy city like Winnipeg.
