Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Jody Beck.
A sloped, rugged plot of oceanside land overlooking Cadboro Bay challenged the design and build of this 3,300-square-foot home in ways that actually brought out its best features. Designed by the homeowners who are both architects (she is also an artist) and built by GT Mann Contracting, this west coast contemporary home incorporates all the advantages that the lot’s natural characteristics afford: privacy from the road, access to the ocean and views that extend across the bay to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
“This is actually the second house we’ve built for this couple—the first was their waterfront home on Hornby Island,” says Graeme Mann, who enjoyed the opportunity to bring their retirement home to life. From the street level, the home rests low on the lot at the base of a carefully sloped driveway behind an inconspicuous steel and cedar fence and automatic gate. Along with an intricate blend of stone, fir, metal fascia, Hardi panelling, and extensive custom glazing; a green roof provides insulating properties and helps blend the home into the landscape.
“The front entry has a custom skylight with glazing into wood that extends from the outside into the house,” says Mann. “All the primary living spaces are on the main floor, including the master bedroom and a sizeable workshop, so it’s almost a one-level home with a walk-out basement.”
There’s a staircase, as well as an elevator, to the walkout lower level where the guest room is located, along with a light-filled art studio with private patio, wine storage and a media room that overlooks a seating area tucked against the steep slope by a curved retaining wall. The outdoor living spaces follow the tiered land as a set of terraces leading to a patio area with a gas-assist outdoor fireplace, a hot tub, and curved stone staircases down to the sea.
“When we built their home on Hornby, we added an outdoor shower,” says Mann. “To incorporate the same idea here, we built an exterior door into their master ensuite shower, so they can come straight into their shower from the outside after kayaking.” The ensuite also includes a deep, egg-shaped tub overlooking the ocean and rift-cut, white-oak cabinetry similar to the kitchen cabinets and living room built-ins.
Privacy slats in the entry define distinct spaces in a visually interesting way while maintaining the home’s open and airy feel. “You can see that detail carried out through the kitchen, as well,” says Mann, who also points out the sliding panel above the fireplace that covers the television when not in use. The detail maintains visual harmony within the minimalist design so that the artwork, finishing materials, and nature’s visual display remain the centrepieces of the home.
