On a narrow, waterfront lot in West Vancouver’s Dundarave neighbourhood, this home presented a number of challenges that created a unique architectural expression. Protection from sea level rise, privacy from a busy waterfront walkway and train tracks passing directly in view helped mould this house into shape. Additionally, a tight building footprint prevented putting a garage inside the home as it would have overwhelmed the main floor.

The home’s basement is fully tanked (it is more boat than house) and large 3 storey concrete walls to the East and West weigh the home down to prevent uplift in a flood. These walls double as noise barriers between neighbours. An exterior carport with a black metal trellis sits in the front yard and doubles as a shaded, covered staging ground for daily activities. This shaded trellis is repeated on the southern view side. The screening effect of the trellis is repeated in the vertical privacy screens on the north and south side of the house, and again the pattern is repeated in the black zinc cladding which resembles ripples or waves.

Inside, the home’s floors are Indiana limestone while clear hemlock clads the main floor ceiling. Oak stair treads cantilever out of the concrete wall, and monolithic unsupported glass guardrail spans the entire run of stairs. Light grey and white toned millwork complement marble counters.

The warmth of natural stone, wood and white concrete provide a serenity to the interior spaces whose carefully curated views allow the owners to see without being seen.

Design: Cedric Burgers, Ben Coulsten, Marieke Burgers, Joanna Sotomski

Build: CB Developments Structural: Rob Smith Landscape: Ron Rule Photography: Martin Tessler