This residential project is completed by Splyce Design in 2019. Thompson House is a big house with 5000 ft2 in size and located on a steep site in West Vancouver. This house is designed to capture the stunning views of the harbor in one direction and also mountains in other directions. The house is porous, open, and social, providing areas of retreat and solitude.
Design
The slightness is also controlled, especially to and from the neighbors in the direction of the house. The two side walls and roof extend far past the exterior walls on the south elevation just like bird wings stretched out to protect its young. This way provides privacy and large covered decks. The house spaces are interior extensions, inviting various uses throughout the days and years.
Any visual distraction of the adjacent properties is blocked by the cedar-clad wing walls and focus from the house interior to the blue ocean. The structure of the roof is pinwheel-like and undulating, creating a different slope on each of the four exterior elevations and also varied ceiling heights on the upper floor interior.
Materials
The house space rises up upon entry into the home, draws attention away from the straight shot ocean view ahead, and upwards towards exposed heavy timber rafters and wall-to-wall skylight. It is a contrast to the rest of the light-colored materials in the palette. There are two bridges in this section, offering more opportunities for play and interaction.
Details
This house is also nuanced with nooks and layers, providing areas of solitude and retreat. There is a private office tucked behind the staircase in the corner of the main floor that can be part of the adjacent living space near the unexpected sliding wall panel. On the upper floor, the enlarged stair with framed views of the mountains and ocean lined with bookshelves. This stair becomes a natural spot for a one-person library.
Thompson House Gallery
Photographer: Sama Jim Canzian