Cortes Island Residence by Balance Associates
Balance Associates have designed a residence on Cortes Island in British Columbia, Canada.

.
Description from the architects:
Located on Cortes Island, British Columbia, the Cortes Residence is sited on a granite cliff face that serves as a wind break for Cortes Bay and the Seattle and Vancouver yacht clubs. To the south, the house is exposed to the Straight of Georgia which delivers 100mph plus winds and salt spray during winter storms. To withstand the winds, the house structure is embedded into the bedrock with cross braced steel columns and exposed floor beams allowing the house to cantilever gracefully off the hillside.
The entry side of the house sits level with the bedrock and is made up of visually solid concrete forms that create the entry space and anchor the house to the site. From the entry, one accesses the central great room which includes the living, dining and kitchen, all with expansive views to the straight beyond. The main gathering space opens up to a south facing exterior deck by way of a grand 11ft tall by 24ft wide custom sliding door. This great room is flanked by a guest suite and study to the west and a master suite that captures the morning sunlight from the east.
Visit the Balance Associates website – here.
Photos © Steve Keating Photography
.
.





























The Disgruntled Architect on 18 May 2011 at 12:16 pm #
Love the daylighting and the views, great job capturing the essence of the natural surroundings and integrating both light and dark elements. Would love the stay here…
peter lennon on 18 May 2011 at 8:12 pm #
Very clever.Very cool
Great location,like a cross between
the Dolomites and our South Island.
Beautiful use of timber