Pacific Spirit Residence

The design addresses the clients’ desire for a modest and integrated presence within the neighbourhood, whilst using contemporary detailing, and high quality natural materials.  Crisp lines and reveals, practical elimination of visible flashings and vent strips, and perfectly flush faces all enhance the home’s quiet appeal.

The integration of the house within the landscape is integral to the design: the garden envelopes the building, creating a private and lush environment that visually connects interior and exterior spaces on each level.

A limited palette of primarily natural and local materials, along with carefully considered landscaping, gives the home a harmonious feel within its natural setting adjacent to Pacific Spirit Park.  A refined palette of beautiful, tactile materials including stained cedar, locally-sourced basalt, and North American bluestone is used both inside and out, giving the house a simple, balanced, and unified feel.

The layout of the home includes: 3 Bedrooms plus the master suite, on the upper floor; 4 bathrooms + 2 powder rooms; kitchen, dining and living areas on the main floor; and a games room, exercise room and media room on the lower floor, which are connected to the garden via two sunken courtyards providing ample natural light.  Additional studio/workspace is provided in a laneway house and garage at the end of the backyard.

The energy efficiency of this house goes above and beyond the City of Vancouver’s Building Bylaw requirements.  Sustainable features include photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate electricity, and a geothermal heat pump to supplement hot water heating.

Large areas of curtain wall glazing maximize natural light and create seamless interior/exterior spaces, and locally-sourced, high quality materials, are selected for durability, and aesthetic longevity.