This contemporary house in Kitsilano required the SHAPE Architecture team to work closely with City of Vancouver Planners to ensure that the “modern” design worked within the traditional craftsman style of this high profile site on West Point Grey Road.
We chose to take the traditional roof form and porch of the neighbouring houses and give it a contemporary spin, with the use of glass balcony guard rails rather than pickets, and modern cedar siding and steel rather timber post and fascia.
The interior of the house utilizes a state-of the-art exposed laminated timber ceiling which also acts as the structure for the floors above. By doing this, the team was able to reduce drywall costs and create a warm and sensuous counterpoint to the heated concrete floors, glass, marble and painted drywall.
The project hits well above it’s weight in terms of sustainable design by utilizing natural light and shading, highly insulated assemblies, heat exchange and heat recovery. The house is designed to be completely wheel chair accessible and has an indoor elevator to allow easy access between levels.
