July 20, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
a FLOATING HOME in the FOREST
words YUZU Editorial
photos Ema Peter
video Michal Zvonar Visuals
In the forested hills of West Vancouver, a new residence by Openspace Architecture revisits the principles of West Coast Modernism through a quieter, more distilled architectural language.
MODERNISM, SUSPENDED
Built on land once owned by one of West Vancouver's early landowners, the residence is defined by its dramatic cantilevered upper floor. Supported by just three slender columns, the volume appears to float above the landscape, lending the house an unexpected sense of lightness.
"The client had a strong vision and clear material palette, inspired by classic West Coast Modernism but interpreted more contemporarily," says Eric Pettit, Senior Associate at Openspace Architecture. Flat roofs, clerestory windows and open-plan living remain, while traditional post-and-beam construction gives way to exposed concrete walls and a concealed steel structure, resulting in a quieter, more minimalist architectural expression.
Equally important was preserving the site's mature trees. Rather than clearing the land, the architects designed around them, allowing the house to settle naturally into the forest. Stretching horizontally across the site, the building preserves views towards the Pacific while positioning its upper floor against a backdrop of cedar and Douglas fir.
Throughout the day, floor-to-ceiling glazing transforms the interiors into an ever-changing observatory of light, shadow and seasonal colour. A stream flowing beneath a floating bridge and alongside the primary suite introduces the gentle sound of moving water, adding another sensory layer to everyday life.
THE WARMTH OF CONCRETE
Materiality plays a central role, yet it is handled with remarkable restraint. Concrete — often associated with monumentality — takes on a softer character through board-formed surfaces that retain the grain of carefully selected timber planks.
In the areas where people interact most closely with the walls, individual boards were hand-selected to leave a richer imprint in the concrete, reinforcing its tactile quality. Behind this sculptural simplicity lies a high-performance envelope designed to meet the demands of Canada's climate.
Wood provides a natural counterbalance. Ribbed hemlock ceilings, stained after dozens of material studies to achieve the right walnut tone, extend across the main living spaces, while engineered fumed oak flooring and colour-matched oak joinery introduce warmth without disturbing the home's restrained palette. Outside, custom-stained cedar cladding echoes the subtle variations of the surrounding tree bark, strengthening the sense that the architecture belongs to its setting.
DESIGNED AROUND LIGHT, LANDSCAPE AND LONGEVITY
The plan balances openness with privacy. Living, dining and kitchen spaces flow seamlessly towards terraces, the pool and outdoor dining areas, encouraging an effortless indoor-outdoor lifestyle. A delicate bridge connects the main residence to a shared office pavilion, while the primary suite occupies its own lower level with direct access to the garden. Upstairs, the family bedrooms are arranged to maximise both privacy and views.
Ultimately, the residence is less about architectural spectacle than about building a lasting relationship with its surroundings. Its restrained palette of concrete, timber, black metal and glass provides a calm backdrop for the forest beyond — a home designed not simply to sit within nature, but to encourage a deeper connection with it.
