Simplicity of form was a primary design objective for this contemporary dwelling
that was built on a very limited budget. At its most basic, the house is a ‘shoebox’, a long thin rectangle with a flat roof, that has a pop-up second floor shed roof to accommodate additional program and to catch daylight from the south to throw down into the public spaces.

Perched on the edge of a ravine overlooking a freshwater stream that flows into a tidal river, the view from this spectacular setting changes dynamically through the day. The plan responds to the site as a ‘bar house’, or a single rectangular form that offers each space of the house a view of the ravine and tidal river. The entry is on the public/car side of the house with the entry axis crossing through the house, looking back out to nature and to the river view.

The flat roof of the ‘shoebox’ was planted to soften the otherwise hard form. The effect was to lift the landscape up, onto, and over the building.

A high-performance building envelope and systems was a priority and was
achieved while respecting budget. Simple materials were used in different unique ways, delivering a low-maintenance exterior.