Located on an elevated spot way above Vancouver’s harbour, this 1961 post-and-beam home captures sweeping views of downtown, Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. A classic example of mid-century Vancouver design, the home is the work of the legacy engineering firm Robertson, Kolbeins, Teevan & Gallagher – one of the few residential projects the practice completed – and almost certainly the only one to include a pool. 

The 1,730-square-foot house is arranged over a split-level layout, which divides the public and the private. The main living spaces are arranged across the upper floor, where floor-to-ceiling glazing frames uninterrupted harbour views. The living room, dining room and kitchen areas flow together, the wide, open plan arrangement intermittently punctuated by support beams that secure the exposed timber of the structural beams above. On the lower level, the bedrooms open directly onto a secluded pool terrace, injecting a sense of resort-style luxury into the compact home. The design has been carefully preserved over the decades, with subtle updates added that respect the original architecture. Among them is the conversion of the former garage into a bright artist’s studio, extending the home’s creative purpose without altering its character. Defined by warm timber surfaces, abundant natural light and a floor plan tailored to the site, the house remains a striking example of West Coast Modernism. 

Photography © Department of Interest