Home Exteriors

Olson Kundig's natural and warm architectural palette combines metal, wood, and concrete, set against the blues and greens of the lush surroundings and bay.

A concrete fire pit on the outdoor patio provides a place for outdoor entertaining, with ample space kept open for spontaneous dance parties. The sofa is from Henry Hall's Tru/Pure collection with fabric from Christian Liaigre and McGuire. The Tekka side table is from Christian Liaigre. An Allan Gould midcentury modern iron-and-rope lounge chair and ottoman complete the scene.

The Inlet House exterior is marked by cedar shingle wood siding and ample glazing that emphasizes the views and the feeling of living in a wildlife sanctuary.

An exterior light from Barn Light Electric illuminates the entry.

The boxy, contemporary new facade was completely restructured.

Inspired by Scandinavia, Japan, and the West coast, Falken Reynolds Interiors has infused a style that they describe as "Canadian Nordic" to this Vancouver home.

Durable fiber-cement HardiePlank clads the rear facade.

For the facade, exposed to the constant salt air, the team considered everything from copper or zinc to Kynar-coated aluminum. Eventually, a sample of titanium was tacked up for six months and showed no wear. “Part of the green philosophy is not just what is cheaper; it’s what’s sustainable,” Cranston explains. “The titanium cladding was more expensive, but this is a house we plan to be in for the rest of our lives, so we wanted something that needed virtually no maintenance.”

Midcentury Modern, a contemporary take on minimalism, is all about the purity of form following function.

In the front courtyard, a raised bluestone patio was built off the new kitchen for casual meals and entertaining. The Eames Molded Plastic Chairs are from Herman Miller. The dining table and benches are from Room & Board.

The home naturally integrates into its natural surroundings as such you can appreciate the changing light, the stunning views, and the seasons.

The architect incorporated a central courtyard in the house, an unusual but intelligent design response for the region with a temperate climate. “The house sets up an interesting tension between two established [courtyard and farmhouse] typologies,” Crump explains.

The residence is sited to maximize sunset views. The location, just outside of the historic district, allowed the homeowners to stay close to the heart of town while being able to build a contemporary house.