Birch Lane

The Brief

A family of five commissioned a new ground-up residence on a wooded site outside Vancouver, screened by mature Douglas firs and cedars. They wanted a house that felt protective and warm in the dark Pacific Northwest winters, with an architectural presence that respected the landscape rather than imposed on it.

Our Approach

The house is conceived as two simple horizontal volumes clad entirely in black-stained vertical timber, with the upper volume cantilevered slightly over the lower. Floor-to-ceiling glass faces the forest on every primary room. Inside, warm white cedar ceilings, light oak paneling, travertine fireplace, and dark espresso oak floors counterbalance the dark exterior.

The Outcome

A sanctuary that disappears into its forest setting from a distance and glows quietly at dusk. The owners' vintage Porsche lives in an oak-paneled garage at the lower level, displayed almost like a sculpture. The bedroom wakes up to mist through the trees every morning.