Swimming in Freezing Temperatures to Envision Nova Nest
To design a home perched on the dramatic cliffs of the Bay of Fundy, the award winning architect Miche Booz sought to experience the site as fully as possible, even going as far as swimming in its freezing waters. Immersing in the bay revealed the raw power of the tides, the sharp clarity of the air, and the humbling scale of the cliffs themselves.
This direct encounter with the elements became essential to envisioning Nova Nest. The house was imagined not only as a shelter from the extremes but also as a place deeply connected to them; framing vast views, welcoming shifting light, and grounding itself firmly against the rugged landscape.
By swimming in the bay, Miche gained more than inspiration; he gained perspective. The cube form was derived from rock patterns nearby; one of which has been carved square by years of natural erosion. The tall stair tower is a nod to the local lighthouses that stand on similar promontories. The cantilevered deck employs a ribbed, abstracted scallop form for structure. Nova Nest is a design born from that visceral experience, an architectural response to nature’s force and beauty, shaped by respect for its intensity and wonder.
