Cabana 18, Vaughan residence, Modern Ontario backyard retreat, photos, New Canadian real estate architect
7 December 2025
Architecture: Frank Franco Architects
Location: Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Photos by Jagged lens
Sitting within a neighborhood of two-story brick and stucco homes from the early 2000s, the site has a gentle slope to the west. Instead of fighting against it, the design embraces this feature by lowering the cabana into the landscape so that it appears naturally settled-almost as if it was carved from the earth. From the living room on the west side of the house, this structure looks grounded and serene-more like part of nature than something added onto it.
This thoughtful integration shows Frank Franco Architects’ careful approach to viewing landscapes not merely as backdrops but as essential partners in design.
The clients-a couple who run restaurants with busy schedules-desired an area where family gatherings and spontaneous moments could happen freely. Their lives combine work with travel and hosting guests while also providing personal retreats. They needed something versatile enough to match their lifestyle: a strong yet inviting modern cabana designed for long evenings together or quiet Sunday mornings. This project became their chance to create a small building with all the emotional aspects of an entire home.
At its center is an inverted T-shaped layout that features an outdoor dining area under an artistic circular opening. This unique aspect-simple yet beautifully wrapped in materials-serves as a vertical window to let in light from above. Sunlight filters through during different times of day, bringing warmth and movement into this dining space with sunbeams and breezes.
The oculus serves both practical purposes and offers poetic beauty: it’s great for ventilation while reminding everyone about what’s above them. It’s truly at the heart of this project-a representation of how an architecture firm values clarity along with rich experiences.
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By sinking down into its surroundings , the cabanas horizontality becomes stronger. It grounds everything , creating scale , privacy , and that feeling one gets when escaping daily life. On one side there is also enclosed living room which provides comfort no matter what season it is ; on another side there are supportive spaces such as bathroom changeroom mechanical room keeping things smooth flowing without cluttering up experience overall resulting fluid circulation quiet transitions combined with modern landscaping around opportunities connecting people together.
Created specifically so folks can use it year-round, the cabanas infrastructure supports complete flexible outdoor lifestyles.
Outdoor Cooking Suite – This robust setup includes everything one needs like gas BBQ charcoal smoker pizza oven enabling meals quickly prepared or enjoyed throughout day long gatherings tailored made clients who live through food making kitchen stage act
Dining Under The Oculus – Centrally located protected open private connected al fresco dining space keeps introduces daylight fresh air creating wonderful experience influenced weather seasons![]()
Year-Round Enclosed Living Room – Comfort extends throughout each month thanks conditioned glass-enclosed lounge bar perfect movie nights sports events late evening chats easily merging interiors landscapes seamlessly.
Supporting Spaces restrooms changing rooms mechanics sit discreetly behind dining preserving flow serenity
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Cabana 18 backyard retreat, Canada
Nestled comfortably into the surroundings, Cabana 18 seems more like a natural part of the home than just an addition. What started as a simple wish for a gathering space turned into a cozy and modern escape-an outdoor pavilion designed not just for living but for enjoying life. Set gently into the ground and brightened by a stunning circular opening above, the cabana invites family and friends to engage in cooking, relaxing, and staying connected all year round. It turns the backyard into a peaceful haven where life slows down a bit, conversations last longer, and nature feels like an extension of home.
Sitting within a neighborhood of two-story brick and stucco homes from the early 2000s, the site has a gentle slope to the west. Instead of fighting against it, the design embraces this feature by lowering the cabana into the landscape so that it appears naturally settled-almost as if it was carved from the earth. From the living room on the west side of the house, this structure looks grounded and serene-more like part of nature than something added onto it.
This thoughtful integration shows Frank Franco Architects’ careful approach to viewing landscapes not merely as backdrops but as essential partners in design.
The clients-a couple who run restaurants with busy schedules-desired an area where family gatherings and spontaneous moments could happen freely. Their lives combine work with travel and hosting guests while also providing personal retreats. They needed something versatile enough to match their lifestyle: a strong yet inviting modern cabana designed for long evenings together or quiet Sunday mornings. This project became their chance to create a small building with all the emotional aspects of an entire home.
At its center is an inverted T-shaped layout that features an outdoor dining area under an artistic circular opening. This unique aspect-simple yet beautifully wrapped in materials-serves as a vertical window to let in light from above. Sunlight filters through during different times of day, bringing warmth and movement into this dining space with sunbeams and breezes.
The oculus serves both practical purposes and offers poetic beauty: it’s great for ventilation while reminding everyone about what’s above them. It’s truly at the heart of this project-a representation of how an architecture firm values clarity along with rich experiences.
Outdoor Cooking Suite – This robust setup includes everything one needs like gas BBQ charcoal smoker pizza oven enabling meals quickly prepared or enjoyed throughout day long gatherings tailored made clients who live through food making kitchen stage act
Dining Under The Oculus – Centrally located protected open private connected al fresco dining space keeps introduces daylight fresh air creating wonderful experience influenced weather seasons
