Eaves House by Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses

ByJon Dykstra Houses

Eaves House by Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses

Designers: Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses
Project Team: Matt Mcleod, Lisa Bovell, Thomas Yuan & Alisha Maloney
Builder: Postle Construction
Photography: Ema Peter

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Exterior view of the house showcasing its two broad eaves.
Exterior view of the house showcasing its two broad eaves.
The kitchen features custom black cabinetry and a matching island topped with contemporary dome pendants.
The kitchen features custom black cabinetry and a matching island topped with contemporary dome pendants.
A spacious balcony with multicolored chairs and glass railings overlooking the surrounding landscape.
A spacious balcony with multicolored chairs and glass railings overlooking the surrounding landscape.
The living room has a large sectional sofa and sliding glass doors that open onto a serene garden.
The living room has a large sectional sofa and sliding glass doors that open onto a serene garden.
The covered deck offers a nice place to lounge and unwind.
The covered deck offers a nice place to lounge and unwind.
The pool terrace is complemented by a modern dining set.
The pool terrace is complemented by a modern dining set.
Primary bathroom with a floating vanity, a deep soaking tub, and direct access to the balcony.
Primary bathroom with a floating vanity, a deep soaking tub, and direct access to the balcony.
Clerestory windows bring natural light into the kitchen.
Clerestory windows bring natural light into the kitchen.
The expansive balcony connects seamlessly with the main living space.
The expansive balcony connects seamlessly with the main living space.
One of the landings is turned into a sitting area adorned with an abstract painting.
One of the landings is turned into a sitting area adorned with an abstract painting.
Main level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Main level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Upper level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Upper level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Basement level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Basement level floor plan of the Eaves House.
Section of the Eaves House.
Section of the Eaves House.

The Eaves House exists at the interface between a residential neighborhood below and an undeveloped forested ravine above. The long and narrow cross-pitched site is asymmetrical with a pan-handle shape. Views to English Bay, the Vancouver skyline, and the Stanley Park peninsula are spread across the horizon to the south and south-east.

Neighborhood development in this area is regulated by specific design guidelines that encourage roof forms rather than strong volumetric expression. The house is formally comprised of a hovering concrete plinth at the main floor which sits underneath two broad eaves. The plinth forms a new “ground” in the air which obscures a large auto-court at the basement floor and creates privacy by masking the road and windows of adjacent houses below.

The two extruded roof masses above similarly serve to edit out the suburban foreground while framing and focusing vistas toward the water. The program at the main and upper floor is stretched along the length of the site, in parallel with the expansive east-flanking outdoor spaces which allow indoors spaces to expand outward. Front to back, the house steps out of its own way in a sequence of “views behind view” that creates an unfolding cinematic experience when moving between spaces.

The design strategy results in an unconventional street-level elevation that—due to the low angle of view on the approach—largely suppresses the conventional reading of walls, floors, and windows. The house is primarily viewed as a pair of floating planes. Between these eaves, an enhanced visual field is established that can be enjoyed inside and out, drawing the eye beyond the immediate neighborhood.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.