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In an unusual occurrence, our client approached us with a request to re-conceptualize a house mid-way through construction as she took over management of the project from her parents. As a younger person, she came in with new ideas and a different perspective. She asked us to critically reconsider typical programmatic uses and relationships that commonly occur in residential design. This client direction led us to an intervention that resulted in material and geometric clarification of the exterior planes of the house and the idea that these elements should also be reflected in interior spaces.
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The house is located on a floodplain formed by a sediment deposits in the Fraser River delta where the land is vulnerable to periodic flooding. Landscape is treated as an extension of a surrounding wetland and is conceptualized of folded layers: sedimentation, wetland vegetation and floating elements. The first layer represent the river's sedimentary deposits, integrated subtly as the driveway, functional surfaces and on-grade stairs. The second, connected by wetland vegetation, consists of a resilient carpet of sedges mixed with native and non-native plants, which transition into deciduous shrubs and conifers, enhancing the natural flow between wetland and higher banks. The third layer introduces elevated elements— walkways, boardwalks, and benches—which float above the other layers.
In response to the site’s ecological disposition, Accoya—a naturally treated pine wood, developed in the Netherlands for use in ground-water contact situations (like the lining of canal walls)—is used throughout the project. The unique variegated "sticker" marks, an artifact of industrial processing, serve as a visual reminder of the wood’s acetylation process which makes it durable, stable, and long lasting in water logged conditions. The wood has been left to naturally weather to soft grey tones that are reminiscent of the retained hemlock trees on the site.
Our interventions on this project that’s mid-way through construction focused on material and geometric clarification of the exterior planes of the house, and the echoes of such ideas at interior spaces. Folded walls, ceilings and hovering floor plates (separated from walls) created irregular thresholds and angled prosceniums that encourage spaces to flow from one area to the next. Angled walls force movement through the house that is cinematic in nature. Glimpses of views, spaces and light can be seen around every bend. Because most spaces have a multifaceted reading, efforts were made to blur normal programmatic signifiers like doors and hallways. Furniture is deliberately sparse and sculptural and, where it exists, is suggestive of several modes of occupation. On a more practical side, as the land is vulnerable to flooding, we took care to adapt the house to an environment that is constantly in flux. In addition to the extensive use of Accoya, the lowest level of the house is constructed to endure flood events. Finishes such as drywall and batt insulation are omitted to prevent water damage, and mechanical equipment is housed in a waterproof bunker.
The project is a meditation on the interrelationship between the natural world and the object, where all the design decisions try to re-imagine a family house in a very particular location. Folding, whether on the land, with the house, or with its material language plays a role in reflecting an understanding of this place and the people who live there.
Founded in 2008, McLeod Bovell is a collaborative design partnership specializing in complete residential design. Over the last decade, they have accrued experience designing houses on steep, irregularly-shaped land. While these areas often boasted significant views, their immediate natural features may not always be remarkable—neither fully cultivated nor untouched wilderness. Under these conditions, the priority of the view can dominate the discussion. Their work makes efforts to balance the primacy of this view with opportunities afforded by extreme topography that allow for varied and particular programmatic sequences. Through continuous dialog with clients, they establish a framework for design decision-making. Ideas evolve from this investigation rather than pre-conceived, prescriptive solutions. Prioritizing spatial experiences and idiosyncrasies, they create work that conveys feeling, specific character, and is receptive to influences beyond the region.
