Fogo Island Inn: Stunning Design in Newfoundland
By Lucas on Nov 12, 2013
Just recently, a seven-year project came to completion, and the end result couldn’t be more beautiful. Fogo Island Inn, designed by Saunders Architecture and owned and operated by the Shorefast Foundation, is a masterpiece on the shore of the North Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland.
There’s more to the four-floor inn than meets the eye. The first floor features public areas, including a dining room, bar and lounge, a library specializing in the local region, and an art gallery curated by Fogo Island Arts. The second floor offers an array of amenities including a gym, meeting rooms, and a cinema. The fourth floor features a roof deck with sauna, outdoor hot tubs, and amazing views of the ocean.
Saunders designed the Fogo Island Inn so that all 29 rooms have a view of the ocean, and each bed faces the view, so guests wake up and remember that they’re staying in one of Canada’s best inns. The rooms range from 350 to 1,100 square feet.
Another reason all the rooms face the ocean is to pay homage to Fogo’s history. The Shorefast Foundation, started by Zita Cobb and her brothers, is dedicated to “fostering cultural and economic resilience for this traditional fishing community.”
Not only is the design compelling, it also uses sustainable technologies. The exterior is comprised of locally sourced black spruce, and the windows feature triple pane glazing. There is a system installed that uses rainwater from the roof and collects it in two cisterns in the basement, where it is filtered and used for toilet water.
There are also solar panels on the exterior that provide energy for hot water for the in-floor heating, laundry facilities, and kitchen equipment.
The design of Fogo Island Inn is aesthetically simple, technologically complex, and respects the local charm and environment. It’s pretty safe to say that this design is one of our favourites of 2013!
What do you think of the Fogo Island Inn? Would you stay here on your next trip to Newfoundland?
Images via Saunders Architecture
