WORDS Dawn Sondergaard X PHOTOGRAPHY Ema Peter
Overlooking the fjord-like waters of Indian Arm, located near a bustling neighbourhood in North Vancouver, the windowless façade of this house ensures a quiet, private residence. The bold architectural lines, however, tell a different story. Larger than it first appears, this three-storey home is anything but unassuming. Like a hidden gem found on the beach just a couple of blocks away, one can’t help but take a closer look.
Inside, you are transported into a world of tranquility and sprawling space. The modern design features white walls and polished concrete floors with radiant heating. With a focus on angular, clean lines, attention to construction detailing is paramount.
The angular exterior of the house is designed to minimize interior glare and to keep water off the wrap-around windows. Your eyes are naturally drawn to the stunning views, with black window frames adding to the simple, greyscale aesthetic. No one can see in, but the family can see out— the nature and ocean views, perfectly captured.
Designed by D’Arcy Jones Architecture and built in partnership with HAVAN member Open Horizon Developments Ltd., the home’s pinched waist provides space for two outdoor courtyards with uncommonly dramatic interior views from the inside out, and back inside again. The east courtyard boasts native plants and trees, mimicking the surrounding native forest, and blurring the lines between architecture and nature. The west courtyard filters the afternoon light, creating a sunny pocket off the kitchen; it’s a place to sit or eat outside, protected from the gentle afternoon ocean breeze.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area, complete with fireplace, is located at the back of the house to make the most of the south-facing views. Downstairs, on the middle level, is a second living area featuring a wet bar. Sliding glass doors lead to a third patio with garden, hot tub and swimming pool.
The interior—designed with generic rooms in mind, versus spaces built for specific uses—makes this home adaptable for a growing family’s ever-changing needs. Most rooms in this house are not designated. The master bedroom could be in one of two spaces, bedrooms could be dens, and dens could be bedrooms.
Tucked under the lower level, the basement conceals a gym, a sauna and the home’s mechanical systems to support the latest mod cons.
HAVAN features 1,100 professional members who build 65 per cent of Metro Vancouver homes. havan.ca.
距離北溫繁忙社區的不遠處，這座私人住宅鬧中取靜。大膽的建築綫條乾净利落，正面無窗的設計確保了隱私與安寧；而另一側則視野大開，別有洞天，Indian Arm海灣的美麗景色盡在眼前。整個建築卓爾不凡，就像在沙灘上看到一顆隱藏的寶石一樣，讓人不禁想探個究竟。
進入其中，你被帶入一個開闊而寧靜的世界。現代設計的白色墻壁，帶有輻射加熱功能的磨光水泥地面，棱角分明的綫條，處處凸顯對施工細節的重視。
建築外觀采取傾斜的設計，是爲了盡量避開射入的陽光，保護環繞的窗戶不受雨水的影響，讓主人對窗外美景一覽無遺。而黑色的窗框，加上簡潔的灰色過渡更具立體感。外人看不到屋内，但屋内主人卻可以享受到周圍的景色以及無敵海景。
建築由D’arcy Jones Architecture設計,并與HAVAN會員Open Horizon Developments Ltd.合作承建，在住宅中部，收緊式的設計開闢出兩個室外空間，從内向外，從外向内營造出不同尋常的景觀。東院栽種的植物與樹木將建築與周圍的自然叢林自然相連；西院則過濾掉午後陽光，讓主人享受戶外進食的同時，避開午後海風的侵擾。
開放式的厨房，飯廳和配有壁爐的起居室位於房屋的後面，可以充分利用這座南向房屋的所有景致。樓下，即中層是第二個起居室，設有吧檯。推開玻璃門，外面是第三個露臺，有花園，熱水池以及游泳池。
室内設計時配合家庭成員增長的需要，沒有固定設計房間的角色。主臥室可以是兩間臥室中的任何一間，臥室可以用作書房，反之亦然。
至於最底層下方的地下室則隱藏著一間健身房，一間桑拿浴室，以及家庭機械系統，保證這座建築内最現代的生活設備有效運作，從而讓這顆隱藏的寶石實至名歸。
AND THE 7 SINS with Jenni Finlay