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The five-foot tall fire pit rock is buried three-feet into the ground for stability.

“The site was beautiful as it is,” architect Eric Tremblay said, and he wanted to build a home that had the least impact on the terrain as possible. The lake can be seen on either side of the house, and natural materials—like the Eramosa limestone coating on the exterior—were a priority during construction.

Exterior with infinity pool-VILLA CP

Two new structures were also built in the backyard, and connected to the main house via the landscape plan by Lilyvilla Gardens. One is a 485-square-foot guest house, and the other is a 375-square-foot workshop for the owner, who’s a bike builder. They have the same exterior siding as the main house: rough-sawn tongue and groove cedar.

Thanks to its natural color, concrete also serves as a wonderful “blank canvas” for landscaping.

The suspension bridge entrance. “You’re sort of suspended over the landscape, walking over all these rhododendrons and stones and shrubs and trees that are below you,” says Sokol. “You’re kind of up in the treetops, and that’s how you arrive at the house.”

A screen divides an entry porch from the first of several private courtyards and outdoor areas. The home is clad in ebony-stained cedar siding, which contrasts with mahogany casework.

Landscape Design by Land Morphology

Landscape Design by Land Morphology

The entry gate now functions as the front door to the residence. The front courtyard doubles as the garage. On the left, the gray roof of the veranda flows downward to obscure the functional spaces behind it, including wash rooms and a service room.

Landscape Design by Land Morphology

Innovative path lighting

"This home is intended as both a place of refuge and of play," says Emily Summers Design Associates.