Outdoor

Easy access to firewood that fuels the wood-burning stove.

Taking in the view of Betasso Nature Preserve.

Just past sunrise at Betasso Overlook.

Though the original home didn’t have a foundation, Jes added one and raised the house about six feet to safeguard against potential flooding from a nearby river. The new house also includes a much larger second-level primary bedroom and en suite bathroom, plus a small balcony.

Jes began by sketching out the general layout and elevation based on what he could remember. There were three gable roofs, which he exaggerated and then mixed with an archway motif that echoes the area’s silos and other structures.

“You can’t help but relax being in the country,” says Nigel. Jane laughs and jumps in: “Though it’s hard work. We’re always doing something.”

“I was a little apprehensive about moving away from our neighborhood for 17 years,” says Jane, “but our friends from the city come up. It’s been a big hosting spot. And we’ve been making friends locally… it’s a nice community of people here.”

Overlooking the Strait of Georgia, the house has over 10,000 square feet of outdoor space and ample windows to take in the view.

An outdoor shower provides a place to wash off sand after summer trips to the beach.

The single-volume home has been designed to appear to float over the lot on its deck. Ryan upgraded the existing foundation to support its passive design. "Originally, I wanted to make the whole house powered with wood pellets," he says. "But I decided against shoveling pellets in the snow. I'll get weird in a little bit less of a cold climate."

Summer time in the woods