The Bosa Residence was inspired by the idea of creating a family home that would provide a year-round indoor/outdoor model of living for a young family. The house is gathered in an ‘L’ shape around the swimming pool, allowing for views and covered access to the south and west-facing pool. The deck spaces provide generous views over Burrard Inlet, but remain private through the drop in elevation from the terraces down to Boundary Road. A rich and grassy ‘secret garden’ sits to the east of the house, with good access to south light. The car parking is tucked neatly under the house off Boundary Road, as the grade drops north. Consequently, the full site footprint is available for garden and terrace space.

The character of the house is inspired by simple but structurally expressive Westcoast modernism. The client saw Merrick Architecture’s Riverway Golf Clubhouse with its warm but restrained character of wood beams, boardformed concrete chimneys and glass. These qualities seemed to capture the right balance of warmth and connection to the outdoors for the family home. The roof eaves of the house with expressed rafter ends and wood decking convey the integrity and beauty of the structure. The standing seam metal roof provides an enduring quality cover. And the wood and glass trellises allow for outdoor gathering even in the shoulder seasons.

The house is anchored around a double height stair with a landing overlooking the secret garden. This stair also gives access to a rooftop ‘widows walk’, where you can view 360 degrees to the spectacular mountain, sea and city backdrop. A grand fireplace anchors the interior spaces, standing between the living and dining room spaces, but allowing the space to flow either side. A substantial kitchen accommodates family and friends as they gather around the dining table, an important family event. And a large angled elevated niche at the end of the living room provides a space to perch and admire the view while relaxing opposite the fireplace.