53 Oriole Drive, Ottawa

In Rothwell Heights—where winding roads trace the curve of the Ottawa River and soaring trees shelter some of the city's most remarkable homes—nature and architecture live in quiet harmony. This extraordinary enclave is beloved for its rich forest canopy, fragrant lilacs, and easy access to the NCC Ottawa River Pathway, a multi-use trail just 700 meters from your door. Here, on a rare and expansive (over half acre) lot surrounded by old-growth trees on one of the most tranquil streets, you'll find a residence that feels more like a private retreat—an inspired convergence of landscape, light, and architectural innovation.

Designed by renowned Ottawa architects Assaly and Johannsen, this home was conceived as a model of the future—an ambitious and personal passion project that reimagined how indoor and outdoor spaces could interact. Built into a 29,643 sq.ft. lot on the lower tier of a dramatic three-tier escarpment system, the home is strategically positioned to follow the sun's arc and to enhance both privacy and energy efficiency: its orientation maximizes southern and western exposure for passive solar gain, while also opening up tranquil views of the Niven's Woods Park ravine.

The architecture is West Coast-inspired, with a split-level layout and floating modules that separate social and private quarters. A dramatic floating staircase, suspended from the ceiling and never touching the floor—sets the tone, offering a moment of quiet awe as you enter. The front gardens bloom in curated layers of tulips, hydrangeas, hostas, and ornamental trees, while the back transitions to a secluded woodland lovingly maintained with sustainable landscaping with ferns, Ontario white trilliums, boulders, and mature hardwoods stretch all the way to the ravine's edge. Out front, the cascading rooflines mirror the tiered landscape, stepping gracefully down toward the carport in a striking rhythm of form and function. The integrated carport provides two parking spaces and is thoughtfully incorporated into the home's architectural language, a seamless continuation of the design's horizontality and clean lines.

The living and dining space is a showpiece: a long, light-filled expanse where floor-to-ceiling cathedral-height statement windows face one side and a bold exposed brick wall anchors the other. Sunlight bathes the room in golden warmth, shifting in tone from brilliant white to deep amber as the day unfolds. A gas fireplace adds ambiance, especially as dusk settles through the trees. The rich tones of Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) hardwood flooring deepen the natural drama and warmth of this central space. Adjacent, sharing the stunning brick wall, the kitchen is a masterclass in aesthetic precision: Northern Quebec granite countertops span wall to wall, with built-in appliances and beautifully grained wood cabinetry forming a seamless, functional workspace. Along one side, windows stretch the full length of the room, framing ever-changing views of the forest beyond. Dark grey ceramic tiling adds drama underfoot, grounding the space in quiet sophistication. The layout culminates in an eat-in area at the far end, a quiet nook surrounded by glass, where morning coffee feels like forest bathing.

A screened verandah extends from the kitchen, forming a true outdoor living room, cool, breezy, and surrounded by greenery. The experience is almost meditative, like stepping into a hidden ryokan in the Japanese mountains.

On floors above and below the main level, Red Birch hardwood continues in the four bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with calm-filled ensuite and generous closets. Across from the bedrooms, a second outdoor patio provides a serene dining area surrounded by trees, an ideal spot for meals al fresco or quiet contemplation. On the lower level, find a fully insulated and sound-wired family room ideal for media, recreation, or home fitness, plus ample storage, laundry, and workshop space. Outside, a tranquil back patio, used as an exterior living space offers a perfect perch between ferns and boulders, where you might hear the resident owl call out at dusk, as the forest softly settles into evening.

This is not just a home, it's a masterstroke of vision, craftsmanship, and harmony with nature, offering unmatched privacy with no rear neighbours and generous setbacks on either side, nestled in one of Ottawa's most treasured riverside communities.