This North Vancouver Bungalow Reveals More Than Meets the Eye
Tucked into a quiet neighbourhood where forest meets mountain, a contemporary home by BLA Design Group celebrates the drama of nature.
From the street, the house huddled at the forest line at the base of Vancouver’s North Shore mountains appears to be a modest, black-brick bungalow. But descend the gently curved driveway and enter under an imposing wood soffit, and the house expands far beyond its façade. With a wall of glass that captures gasp-worthy panoramic views of Vancouver’s iconic Stanley Park and Burrard Inlet, it’s little wonder the dwelling is known as Vista House.
Spanning two storeys and 4,900 square feet, the house was conceived by Vancouver’s BLA Design Group as “a balance of introspection and openness.” Architects Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran, whose intention is to merge clients’ vision with the spirit of the site, blurred the barrier between indoors and out with a balcony that projects into the landscape and a cedar ceiling that continues from interior to exterior underneath the soffit. The result is a seamless space that doesn’t just face the horizon but incorporates it.
From the glassed entry, the house begins a dialogue of juxtapositions. Though the entry and living room beyond are open, a series of vertical wooden slats act as a privacy screen and allow sunlight to filter through, casting shadow patterns across the floor as the sun moves across the sky. A concrete wall that juts outside by the front door becomes a structural element inside, its cool grey tones a contrast with the home’s predominantly warm wood ceilings and floors.
In the streamlined kitchen, a row of clerestory windows above the cupboards nod to the midcentury modern aesthetic prevalent on Canada’s West Coast, creating a treehouse-like effect.
Though the interior materials and finishes are pared back—an homage to Liu’s love of Japanese and Scandinavian design—they feel luxurious: travertine, wood, natural fabrics, and sculptural light fixtures. The result is a collection of serene spaces that resonate with the sea and sky views strategically captured from every window.
Capturing mountains at the front, treelines at the side, and the ocean at the back, there’s no doubt that Vista House more than lives up to its name.
Photography by Andrew Latreille.
