- Interior
Surrounded by the serene forests and mountains of North Vancouver, Vista House embodies a seamless fusion with nature. Inspired by breathtaking landscapes and contemporary architecture, this house exudes elegance with its sleek black exterior, in which glass and wood accents blend harmoniously. Inspired by iconic West Coast architects such as Ron Thom, Arthur Erickson and Olson Kundig, it bridges the gap between modern living and the outdoors.
The house sits on the steep slopes of North Vancouver, where the hustle and bustle of the city gives way to a calm mountain backdrop. Perched high on the edge of a large forest, it offers a haven of tranquillity. Completed in 2023, it was designed by the BLA Design Group, with Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran as principals. The irregular funnel shape and steep topography of the site played a fundamental role in the design. The journey from street level to the main entrance evokes a sense of anticipation, with a winding driveway that passes under an expansive wooden eaves. The glass entrance with wooden slats offers privacy and creates a play of shadows. Inside, the concrete exterior wall continues seamlessly, creating a fascinating interior element and highlighting its structural integrity.
The Vista House is a modern architectural expression that beautifully interprets its surroundings. ‘It is a space that reflects the spirit of the location,’ Liu and Basran say. ‘It is a house that resonates deeply with the rhythms of nature and life.’ From the front, the house looks like a simple one-storey building, but it nestles gently into the landscape.
The irregular funnel shape and steep topography of the terrain played a fundamental role in the design
Interior spaces are arranged to capture panoramic views of Stanley Park and Burrard Inlet. Windows are carefully placed to frame sky and foliage, enhancing the connection to the surroundings. A balcony extends across the landscape, while a cedar ceiling continues from inside to outside, blurring the boundary between inside and outside.
The house uses mainly black on the exterior and a combination of wood and beige tones in the interior. ‘We did this to make the house feel heavy and integrated into the sloping terrain on the outside, and bright and open on the inside,’ Liu and Basran said. Natural materials such as concrete, brick and wood allow the house to blend into its surroundings, creating a grand yet cosy atmosphere. From the beginning, the team worked closely with the client to translate the essence of the outdoor environment into the architecture. ‘The wooden soffit that continues from the balcony into the interior is an idea that came about when we discussed the importance of feeling close to the outside while being inside,’ Liu and Basran recall.
The Vista House, with its 455 square metres spread over two floors, including an open floor plan and four bedrooms, is a paragon of modern elegance and harmony with nature. Situated in a challenging location, this house unites aesthetics with structural integrity and offers a serene retreat where modernity meets wilderness. Photos: Andrew Latreille
Design: BLA Design Group
Build: Struction Projects
Text: Celien Hemelaer