Contemporary Hideaway

The concept of this house is inspired by my trip to Vancouver, BC. I visited the West Point Grey neighborhood, where beautiful modern houses were built on a hill adjacent to the ocean and the beach. These houses were mostly square and rectangular-shaped, with big windows and surrounded by bushy lush trees. It was a great mix of modern design and nature, something for which I think Vancouver is widely known for. I also appreciate the idea that one can live in such a beautiful natural setting with high level of privacy in the middle of a bustling city.

The layout of a house is the single most important aesthetic element to pay attention to when designing a house. Flooring and wall colors, you can change easily. But changing the layout and knocking down walls can be very costly. I wanted to create an open space without being too bland or boring. I find that when the kitchen, living room, and dining room are all placed in one big open room, it can get very bland and boring. So I decided to give the main living area an L shape, which would provide the living room a little separation from the kitchen and dining room.

The big room that contains the kitchen and dining room is designed to have two-story ceilings and windows. The windows on the left side of the room are also designed to function as sliding doors, which can be opened during the summer time, providing an option to bring the exterior world in. Of course, this house is designed to be built in a place like West Point Grey, Vancouver, where the views and surrounding nature are stunning.