2024 / Complete / Residential / Renovation / Interior / Addition / 5900 ft²

Located on a long, narrow beach front site in West Vancouver, the design of the reDEW House involved the erasure of layers from previous renovations that masked the architectural expression of the original structure. Initially designed by Daniel Evan White (DEW), and built in 1969, the reDEW house returns to its West Coast modern roots, with prioritization of the client’s objectives and the comforts of contemporary lifestyle.

The interior was stripped down to its heavy timber post and beam framing – opening up the spaces from the north, to the south facing ocean views. An eating nook, kitchen and TV room, transition to a sunken dining and living room. The south wall is punctuated by a sitting room and new sliding glass doors that open up and allow the interior to spill onto the adjacent patio, deck and pool.

At the mid point in plan, a new suspended stair, lightly hovers over the main entry and dining area. Its thin steel profile was selected to distinctly contrast, yet not interfere with the rhythm of the heavy timber structure that forms the angled, vaulted space that runs along the eastern side of the house – previously interrupted and covered by an upper floor addition.

The stair ascends to the new primary bedroom and ensuite. While the custom designed bed occupies the most privileged position in the space, directly facing the water, the shower and free-standing tub behind are carefully positioned on either side, each sharing ocean views. Spaces are fluid on this floor, yet clearly defined for maximum efficiency and function.

On the exterior, all entry points were redesigned moments and inserted as simple juxtapositions into the original architecture, quietly suggesting what is old versus new. The main entry is defined by a deep steel canopy, concrete steps and broad door that spans six feet between the existing timber columns.

• Credits
• Design / Nigel Parish, Tomas Machnikowski, Galo Oyarce
• Build / Powers Construction
• Structural / Aspect Structural Engineers
• Photography / Ema Peter
• Styling / Marcela Trejo