# Contrasting Modern Country Homes The Ballantrae Country House Features Full-Height Windows By Elena Rahman | Published 2021-08-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ballantrae-country-house References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2021/08/10/drew-mandel-ballantrae-country-house-woodland-site-canada/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+dezeen+%28Dezeenfeed%29) & [drewmandelarchitects](http://drewmandelarchitects.com/) Designed by Drew Mandel, the Ballantrae Country House is located in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Canada, among the protected woodlands of the [Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heart-of-sayram-lake). The modern house contrasts its woodsy surroundings with full-height windows oriented towards different landscape views. Grounded by a [concrete plinth](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ayn3), the home appeared sunken into the ground that it stands upon. The country home's interior features a small intimate study to the west, a central and open-plant kitchen, and a double-height living room on the east side. While the design features concrete walls, the Ballantrae Country House boasts a warm and bright interior to soften the building's facade. The [kitchen opens onto a terrace](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-waverley-house) to create a sense of harmony between the modern indoors and the rustic forest. Image Credit: Drew Mandel ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Nature-inspired Residential Architecture:** Incorporating natural elements and materials to create sustainable and aesthetically pleasing homes. - **Open-concept Living:** Designing homes with open spaces and minimalist aesthetics creates a sense of flow and spaciousness. - **Integrating Interior and Exterior Living:** Designing homes with indoor/outdoor spaces creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Design:** As housing trends change, there is a growing need for creative architects and designers to keep up with the evolving needs of homeowners. - **Real Estate:** As homebuyers increasingly look for unique and sustainable homes, the real estate industry must adapt to provide properties that meet these needs. - **Construction:** To meet the growing demand for nature-inspired, modern homes, construction companies must adapt to incorporating sustainable materials in their building process. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Meadow-Overlooking Sleek Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studioac-1.md) - [Contemporary Countryside Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-countryside-home.md) - [Thoughtful Lakeside Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lakeside-living.md) - [Simple Material Family Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/openfield-house.md) - [Corrugated Metal Barn-Like Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studioac.md) - [Timber-Clad Canadian Holiday Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-cime.md) - [Modern cedar homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meadowlark.md) - [Sustainable Country Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-oaks-farm.md) - [Barn Home Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bulls-barn.md)