Shift House

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A push and pull of interior volumes manifests in an exterior form that offers the occupants a meaningful relationship to the outdoors.

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The front facade of the house features a fresh approach to traditional design elements; the home’s entrance is accessed on the side of the foyer volume instead of from the front. A complementary Corten steel planter defines the granite porch and serves as a designated area for displaying the house number.

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A cantilevered porch overhang, clad in warm cedar that wraps down the elevation and covers the front door, creates a bold and inviting entrance. The driveway’s granite pavers seamlessly transition onto the entrance porch, adding to the cohesive design.

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The design of the house emphasizes permeability and openness. The foyer, which is filled with natural light, offers a complete view of the street, yet the layout of the rooms ensures that the interior of the house remains private and concealed from view.

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Large windows connecting the interior spaces to the outdoors blur the boundaries between inside and outside. Within the living room, the use of walnut millwork and a slate fireplace surround offers a striking contrast to the light-colored white oak flooring and stair.

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A sculptural staircase defined by a solid balustrade of white oak and Baltic birch is featured in the centre of the house.

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The dining room sits within a double-height atrium with a fully-glazed rear facade that provides an expansive view of the neighbourhood’s mature trees, inviting natural light deep into the interior and magnifying the grandeur of this modest space.

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The dining room features a dramatic light fixture from Propellor Design, a Vancouver-based studio. In this double height space, projecting second storey bedrooms create recessed areas for the kitchen and living room below.

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The contrasting material palette selected for the house is seen in the selection of finishes used in the kitchen, including white oak and charcoal cabinetry and dark stone counters. A long horizontal window provides framed views of the backyard, further emphasizing the connection between the interior and exterior spaces.

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The stair’s scissor configuration forms a compelling and dynamic three-dimensional geometric composition, animated by the procession of figures as they ascend and descend between the different levels of the house. A wood-clad ceiling treatment extends from the staircase to the foyer, defining the edge of one of the internal volumes.

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The monolithic stair guard's diagonal wood grain imparts a sense of craftsmanship while also evoking a feeling of movement and energy. Walls painted in shades of grey-blue serve as further defining elements against the white walls and oak flooring.

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The principal bedroom leads out onto a small roof deck, connecting the owners to the outside at all levels. To maximize the view and light transmission, the deck is enclosed by a glass balustrade.

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Blue finishes within the principal bathroom echo the materiality present in other areas of the house, while the contrast against the white millwork and flooring imparts a sense of water-like tranquility to the bathing areas.

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The house’s stepped façade, defined by projecting and retracting volumes, is highlighted by contrasting cladding to emphasize the volumetric gestures. Western red cedar fills the void left by retracted volumes, providing a striking foil to the charcoal gray exterior.

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A wide deck across the back of the house effectively doubles the living/dining area, becoming a generous outdoor room in temperate months. The rear facade's protruding and extending volumes form covered zones and roof decks, delineating outdoor areas with differing character.