Project: Ridge On The Chimney / Location: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia / Architect: MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects / Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia / Structural Consultant: Andrea Doncaster / Builder: Cape Breton West Construction / Lighting: Hollis + Morris / Wood Stove: Stûv / Wood-Fired Hot Tub: AlumiTub / Photography: MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Ridge On The Chimney is a collection of four rental cottages that are located in the remote rural community of Chimney Corner on the west coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, the project overlooks Chimney Corner Beach and the Northumberland Strait. The buildings—referred to as “cabins” and “bunkies”—accommodate between two and six people, and include two one-bedroom bunkies measuring 515 and 575 square feet and two two-bedroom + bunk cabins, each spanning 1,275 square feet.
For the client, the project is far more than a hospitality venture—it’s a heartfelt expression of place, identity and care. “We’re in the smiles and memories business,” says Scott Fitzgerald, founder and Cape Breton native. “Having grown up here, it gives me joy to share this little piece of paradise with the world.”
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Ridge On The Chimney represents the client’s deep-rooted love for Cape Breton and a desire to offer something truly meaningful to others: a destination that blends sensitive design with the warmth of Canadian craftsmanship. Every detail, from handpicked local furnishings to the soulful rhythm of coastal life, reflects their passion for creating connection—between guests, nature and each other. It isn’t just about beautiful stays; it’s about creating unforgettable moments that resonate long after the journey ends.
The architects conceived the project as a cluster of simple, wood-clad gabled forms, with cottages positioned along a north-south “ridge” in the landscape. To the west, the land drops dramatically over cliffs into the Northumberland Strait, while to the east, it rises into the mountains beyond. “The architectural language references the local vernacular, drawing inspiration from gabled agricultural barns and coastal fish shacks,” the architects say. “The buildings assume a ‘taut skin’ form, availing themselves of zero-eaves detailing, and designed to withstand the powerful ‘Les Suêtes’ winds—a local weather phenomenon that brings sustained speeds of up to 100 km/h, and gusts reaching 200 km/h.”
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Entry corner “bites” are recessed to provide shelter upon arrival, leading to a compressed entry sequence that transitions to a vaulted living, kitchen and dining space, with expansive glazing that frames views of Chimney Corner Beach and the surrounding natural landscape. The buildings are designed to offer guests a sense of “refuge” and “prospect”: The bedrooms provide a sense of protection and privacy (refuge), while the main living areas foster a strong connection to the landscape (prospect) through open, expansive layouts and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.
Set just down the hill from the cottages, a communal area invites guests to gather and connect at a shared outdoor kitchen that includes a firepit, seating,and a BBQ where guests can cook together outdoors. This supported the client’s vision of wanting to create a hospitality space where guests have a sense of privacy and personal retreat in their “bunkie” or “cabin,” while simultaneously fostering opportunities for connection and a shared sense of community throughout their stay.
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Rooted in the ethos of “economy and place,” the design blends traditional geometries with modern detailing, using minimal materials to create a significant architectural impact that enriches Chimney Corner’s landscape and fostering meaningful connections between people and place.
“This project embodies and celebrates our practice’s values of cultural responsiveness to local landscapes, climate, and material culture,” says Shane Andrews, partner and senior project architect. “Our work is known for its poetic and sensitive architecture that is often defined by its quiet strength, simplicity, and honesty.”
Ridge On The Chimney is part of a more ambitious masterplan that will include a spa, additional cottages and a series of private homes.
