Ode to Nature

Bringing this massive project on Canada’s Vancouver Island to life required gathering the best professionals in their fields. The teams of Openspace Architecture, Paul Sangha Creative for the landscape architecture, M Knight Construction and Kristen Totah from Studio K Kitchens for the interior design, worked for years – seven, to be exact – to create the 929-square metre main residence, a guest house, a small amenity building and dream gardens. The concept: a sequence of connected interior spaces that each open effortlessly to the outdoors, making the most of the exceptional Saanich Peninsula surroundings, where water and vegetation can be admired from multiple vantage points. 

“The home is designed in a contemporary West Coast style, emphasising a strong connection to nature through clean lines, natural materials and open floor plans,” describes Don Gurney, Principal of Openspace Architecture. “Influenced by Japanese architecture, it features deep eaves, low-pitched roofs and Japanese timber frame construction.” The gently curving form of the structure of the house follows the contours of the land and was designed to preserve the existing mature trees. “This home seamlessly blends innovation, sustainability and a deep connection to its setting,” says Mike Knight, CEO of M Knight Construction. 

The material palette is also grounded in the natural tones and textures of the landscape, with western red cedar for the siding, ceilings and structural elements, sandstone throughout and oversized natural limestone slabs for the floors. “Planting zones respond to the site’s natural ecology, moving from woodland species along the driveway to formal, sculptural plantings near the residence, with coastal edges softened by locally adapted wildflower mixes,” describes Mohit Srivastava, Senior Landscape Architect at Paul Sangha Creative. “Water features, including a bespoke koi pond, provide focal points while supporting habitat and subtle technical requirements.”

Besides highlighting the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the project also honours Japanese inspirations both inside and out, from the proportions of the tatami mat that guided the layout, window grids and floor patterns, to the concepts of borrowed views from the surrounding landscape. The use of a restrained palette of wood and stone in various forms, and a mix of sculptural and looser plantings for the outdoor areas, were also nods to Japanese design. “Our intent was to enhance the surrounding vistas rather than compete with them, allowing sight lines to flow from garden to coastline,” Srivastava says. “Careful consideration was also given to views within the property, creating apertures and focal points between buildings so the natural landscape could weave through the home.”

The owners’ passion for collecting art inspired the creation of meandering paths that reveal subtle twists, sheltered niches and framed corners in which to contemplate artworks in this unique, tranquil setting. “We wanted to create a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere,” says Gurney, who focused on simplicity, balance and flow, with every decision guided by the desire to cultivate stillness and serenity. “The exceptional quality of light allows spaces to shift and evolve, giving the garden a dynamic, ever-changing character both throughout the day and across the seasons,” concludes Srivastava. 

Photography – Ema Peter