Bowen Island House by Sturgess Architecture
Sturgess Architecture have designed a house on an island near Vancouver, Canada.
Full description after the photos….
Photography by Robert Lemermeyer
Bowen Island House by Sturgess Architecture
The House on Bowen Island is for a return Sturgess Architecture client, whose city home is in Calgary. The house is for the couple and their two older children, their visitors and extended family. The program divided the main house from the guest accommodation and linked them under one roof.
The steep cliff site faces North overlooking Howe Sound. Located on a six meter wide ledge, the house is tied back to the upthrusting rock face that then drops 100m to the water below. An elongated bowtie plan maximizes the aperture of glazing and view to the North, while on approach from the South, only the roof marks its presence in the landscape. Naturally finished slate, cedar shingles and copper coloured roof denote a building that challenges with form yet eases itself into the coastal context. The entrance leads through the blasted rock to a sheltered deck, and landscape features are left in their original state.
Visit the Sturgess Architecture website – here.
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F-J on 09 Dec 2009 at 3:12 pm #
Love the use of materials, the orientation of the house and site selection.
One concern would be the fact that here in the PNW we receive copious amounts of rain. I’m not sure if I’d like the run off from this coming down the stairs and through the center of the house.
But the views….. !
maathieu on 09 Dec 2009 at 4:25 pm #
i have seen that house on a tv show and those pictures does it no justice
DA on 09 Dec 2009 at 5:13 pm #
architecture: 8.5
interior design: 6
Sarah on 09 Dec 2009 at 5:36 pm #
I can only image how it would be(and sound) in the windy cold winter… beautiful though. an excellent spot.
The 6 meter wide ledge is also helping to create a larger flow of the air passing thru the house. I doubt how they handle it?
Sara on 09 Dec 2009 at 6:02 pm #
Yes please?! To the house, and the view.
becky on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:15 pm #
That is unbelievably gorgeous, and so photogenic!
james on 10 Dec 2009 at 9:51 am #
nice house but the fireplace and kitchen ???
Remy on 11 Dec 2009 at 3:16 pm #
But what are all the steel rods on the exterior on the uphill side? Were this really required for structure support or are they merely architectural elements? It’s a beautiful home regardless and the view is to die for.
Anatoli on 11 Dec 2009 at 5:18 pm #
I say it’s for structure support.
Andy on 12 Dec 2009 at 1:26 am #
fantastic view and beautifully done, think the fireplace is a bit simple but thats me just being picky!
Kumiko Ide on 14 Dec 2009 at 2:35 am #
I agree wholeheartedly with DA’s comment, above. While the architectural design is strong, the lack of thought around the interior decorating is disappointing.
mathieu on 14 Dec 2009 at 6:44 pm #
agree kumiko
charlotte on 15 Dec 2009 at 2:28 am #
interesting concept in highlighting the views, yet I feel that the aesthetic of the house as a whole is pretty conventional and boring. too bad…
the windows are off too, it is possible to do asymmetrical or different windows without a lack of continuity like seen here
Ann on 26 Dec 2009 at 11:25 am #
I love the house but as previously stated, the interior design does not do the house justice…. at all!! Looks like furniture from a previous cottage, imo.
Wayne Merry on 10 Jan 2010 at 5:21 pm #
This is my next one on my lake. It is soooo coool and soo me. Great work!
Norma Garza on 11 Jan 2010 at 10:31 am #
Beautiful, I love the floor plan and the view is awesome…Do they build anywhere else?
MW on 11 Jan 2010 at 2:28 pm #
Love it on the exterior. I too would like more info on those exterior wall braces (or whatever they are). I can’t think of any condition where those would be required as part of an original structural solution. They look more like a remedial solution to settling or something similar to me. They definately aren’t in keeping with the overall exterior design.
I agree about the interior, it doesn’t keep up with the quality of the exterior design. Most notably the fireplace – please everyone, don’t just slap on some 12×12 slate tile around a metal firebox – it’s just cheap looking and tacky.
Wayne Merry on 16 Jan 2010 at 2:21 pm #
hey Norm G! I will build it and you should come! Love ya. W