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Collection by Ian Spula

A Giant, 20-Module Prefab Perched Across a Coastal Site in British Columbia

An architect designs a daring home in scenic Western Canada.

This enormous modular home by Tony Robins of Vancouver-based AA Robins Architect was built in partnership with a prefabrication factory. Two-foot-wide steel beams were enlisted to support the 20-module home. The primary building’s wings frame Pacific Ocean views and wrap a private courtyard with an infinity-edge pool. Five bedrooms disperse in a U-shape, along a corridor punctuated by low, horizontal windows facing the courtyard. To unite the character of the site, built form, and interior spaces, Robins exerted control over all aspects of the project.

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The bedroom corridor cuts away to glass directly above the infinity-edge pool, delivering a design jolt akin to being dunked in water.
The bedroom corridor cuts away to glass directly above the infinity-edge pool, delivering a design jolt akin to being dunked in water.
The L-shaped secondary building perches over a craggy escarpment. It offers the best vantage point for taking in the moss-planted roof, forest, and ocean.
The L-shaped secondary building perches over a craggy escarpment. It offers the best vantage point for taking in the moss-planted roof, forest, and ocean.
Where the floating outbuilding meets a grove of silver cedar, galvanized steel columns match the trunks.
Where the floating outbuilding meets a grove of silver cedar, galvanized steel columns match the trunks.
The kitchen and double height living room is steps from the pool. The heated floors are made of recycled arbutus—small flowering trees that were blown down.
The kitchen and double height living room is steps from the pool. The heated floors are made of recycled arbutus—small flowering trees that were blown down.
Robins sees the black Edra black sofas in the living and dining areas as “soft cartoons of furniture, appropriate for the relaxed island atmosphere.” Alvar Aalto and Eames chairs provide graceful midcentury contrast.
Robins sees the black Edra black sofas in the living and dining areas as “soft cartoons of furniture, appropriate for the relaxed island atmosphere.” Alvar Aalto and Eames chairs provide graceful midcentury contrast.
In this bathroom, a twisting concrete volume rises out of the floor to form the sink, vanity, medicine cabinet, as well as a wall for the showerhead behind.
In this bathroom, a twisting concrete volume rises out of the floor to form the sink, vanity, medicine cabinet, as well as a wall for the showerhead behind.