This spectacular modern home was designed by D’Arcy Jones Architects, located in Uplands, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Uplands is a garden suburb of Oak Bay, planned by John Olmsted who is the son of renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The large suburban site is defined by nearby Uplands Park and the adjacent Uplands Golf Course. This is a neighborhood of manicured lawns on large lots, contrasting with craggy rock outcrops, meadows, and mature stands of Garry Oaks. The street is defined by bungalows from the 1950s and 1960s, in contrast to the traditional architecture in Victoria’s oldest neighborhoods.
The homeowners are a professional couple with school and university-age children. They had lived in Vancouver, but were attracted to Victoria’s moderate climate and relaxed pace of life. The mother of one of the homeowners intends to live independently in the house’s guest suite during the winter months.
The residence is sited between mature Garry Oaks at the east and rock outcroppings near the street at the west. Living spaces and a pool are organized in a U-shape, enclosing a lushly planted courtyard. The house is low-slung and was planned with two distinct zones connected by an entry bridge and a stair, separating the house into private and public zones.
This pinch-point between the two halves is finished with wood, to emphasize the transition between the two. All interior spaces are defined by concrete floors, white walls, and curved ceilings that glow.
Two continuous clerestory light monitors catch south light to bring sunshine into the heart of the house. These elements create a variety of sculptural rooms, each with a strong connection to the seasons. On the north facade, a home office protrudes out over a basement entry offering glimpses of the landscape in three directions.
The design responds to the generic suburban language of double garages, large windows facing the street, chimneys, and dominant rooflines by abstracting these elements and reassembling them. The design turns inward, to create a cloistered house that is shaped by its micro-climate.
With an iron-oxide stucco exterior that references the commonplace brick and cement stucco seen in historic Victoria, this new house seems older than it is.
This home offers a total of 2,500 square feet of living space, along with a 400 square foot studio and a 400 square foot workshop.
What We Love: This low-slung home in British Columbia offers its occupants a minimally designed home for low-maintenance living. Surrounded by a lush landscape, large windows frame the views while also helping to illuminate living spaces with natural light. Overall, this spectacular home offers clean, modern lines and a spacious layout for daily living.
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Note: Be sure to have a look at a couple of other amazing tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the province of British Columbia: Off-grid residence designed for book lovers on the Gulf Islands and Gorgeous contemporary mountain cabin nestled in the Canadian Rockies.
The primary bedroom is focused on the backyard for privacy from the living areas, while an inner private courtyard is only visible from the primary bath. A workshop and playroom are located under the living area, as far as possible from the house’s quiet bedroom areas.
PHOTOGRAPHER Sama Jim Canzian
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