Cadboro Bay House

Client Brief
A modern and minimalist home – to serve as a backdrop for their active lifestyle and gallery to an extensive collection of modernist Canadian art.
The home was to be incredibly easy to live in and maintain – concrete floors, no tile with grout lines to scrub, durable surfaces.
The palette was to be an extension of the beach – driftwood inspired wood tones and only limited colour to their art collection take centre stage.
The view over the bay was to be maximized from every possible location in the house.
Highly supportive of local and Canadian craftspeople the clients wanted the materials and products in the house to tell a local story.

Creative Response
The modern architecture and minimal window frames really called for the ceiling in the centre of the house to be uninterrupted so we held the top of the millwork and fireplace two feet below. That resulting expansive views of the ceiling pull the eye up and make the great room with it’s windows at both ends feel like it is suspended in the air.
The light oak millwork is complimented with a light hemlock ceiling / soffit as well as oak tables and chairs by Edmonton furniture makers IZM – all with the same value and hue to for a calming effect. The red cedar siding on the exterior will also bleach from the sun becoming a cohesive colour.
High use areas were made from durable materials that are easy to clean.

Maximizing Views
Our kitchen design extends from the interior through the large windows to the BBQ and outdoor dining. The materials are minimal and robust - marble backsplash, Caesarstone counters and Corian casework, and the Hemlock soffit leads the eye through the dining room and out to views of the bay.

Architectural Features
A great deal of consideration was given to the selection of materials and products – with an emphasis on sourcing local. Both as a response to supporting the local community, and also for sustainability, practically reducing costs and energy for transporting goods to site. Marble for the powder room sink and kitchen backsplash are quarried and fabricated on CNC tools on Vancouver Island. Decorative lighting from Vancouver manufacturers Bocci & And Light, and Edmonton based Tomnuk. Plumbing fixtures are from Vancouver based Blu Bathworks. Plaster, in several bathrooms, was used on site to avoid importing heavy porcelain tiles from Europe or Asia.
Concrete flooring and hemlock ceilings / soffits guide the eye to the view, without interruption from low furniture in the dining and living rooms: oak dining table, chairs and coffee table by IZM, a Moroso Gentry sofa and Bocci 73.V pendants bringing the ocean colours inside.
The solid 1/4” stainless steel counter on the kitchen island provides an incredibly robust surface that will develop character as it patinas but still floats because of its thin profile.
A custom steel pendant over the island illuminates the worksurface and also shines light up onto the wood ceiling.
The cooktop counter extends through the window to the BBQ with a bush hammered and brushed marble backsplash, quartz counters and Corian millwork drawers.
A thin wood frame encases the tall cabinets and ovens, concealing touch-to-open refrigeration and a large appliance garage
An Oculus over the entry brings natural light into the centre of the home and gently guides the eye towards the door, from both the interior and exterior.
The living and dining rooms are close to windows enhancing the feeling of being outside even in winter. The concrete and steel fireplace maintain a low horizontal line making the room feel cozy despite the 11’ ceilings.
The fluid forms of the Bocci 73.V pendants over the dining table reference the calm waters of the bay outside.
A robust concrete bench in the mudroom allows shoes to be kicked off and booted underneath without soiling coats hanging from ample hooks on the wall behind, and is a sturdy stool to access the shelf and cabinets above.
In the mudroom minimalist detailing and durable low-sheen surfaces of Fenix laminate, Corian and concrete allow clutter to be hidden away while often used coats and shoes are tidily within reach.
A faucet at the dog dishes make hydration quick and easy.
The skylight and window in the mudroom diffuse ample natural light on the matte white surface for a bright functional space.
A window seat in the primary bedroom provides a reading nook surrounded by warm oak and linen with views to the beach and bay, complimented with a leather Cassina Cab bed and Tomnuk wall sconce.
The powder room tells a local story - The solid marble sink in the powder room was quarried and CNC machined locally on Vancouver Island while the Bocci 87 pendants are handmade in Vancouver. The stainless faucet is by Vancouver plumbing manufacturer Blu Bath.
Plaster walls and millwork create a soothing atmosphere in the primary bathroom and a smooth surface easy to clean.
Verde Alpi marble is crafted into a custom vanity sink and counter and acts as a ledge at the bath and shower.
The vanity floats off the wall with back lighting for a gentle glow in the evening.
The faucet lever is ergonomically located towards the front of the counter while the spout gently archs untouched from behind.
Skylights placed at the walls in the shower and over the vanity gently diffuse light into the primary ensuite.
A strategically placed shower head allow views of the bay through the bedroom. The tub also has beach and water views out of a mitred corner window.
The board formed concrete stair guard creates a textured background for the patinaed steel handrail, while the sloping angle and glass guard on the top allow better vantage points of the painting on the stair landing below.
Ceppo di Gre stone slabs dramatically frame a window in a bathroom
Lighting coves behind and under the vanity in the lower bathroom create a soft floating effect.
Plaster walls and a quartz ledge provide durable and easy to clean surfaces in the shower.
A custom stainless steel towel bar is invisibly anchored in the concrete floor.