Located on the Canadian coast of Vancouver Island, BC, this small dwelling is intended for short stays and to serve as an art studio. It is nestled among tall trees, allowing intimate individually-framed views of the old growth forest, stretching from the crowns of the trees to the mossy undergrowth, all the way to distant vistas of the ocean.
The 825 sq ft building contains a kitchen, a living room/art studio, a bathroom, a bedroom, and a secret floating deck.
The client’s expressed wish for simplicity, small environmental footprint and abundant natural light & air, set the stage for an open sculptural form. By slightly twisting two main blocks of the plan and overlapping these shapes, a building modest in area is ever expansive and full of unexpected depth.
Local Douglas fir and cedar were milled specifically for the project, exposed for warmth and to mirror the environment. Lighting fixtures were designed to subtly enhance the forest experience on rainy or dark days. A beacon light guides you on arrival, others gently illuminate the forest, extending the threshold between interior and exterior, and inviting in the surrounding nocturnal world.
Bio AGATHOM Co Ltd is an architectural studio & workshop.The work is an extension of a finely-calibrated collaborative process, built on a foundation of broad technical expertise & a dedication to craftsmanship.
Agathom is at its best when a program entails a broad range of interrelated challenges including planning, landscape, interior detailing, and of course, building design.
We are fueled by the conviction that thoughtful, timeless & imaginative architecture has the power to contribute to the well-being of its occupants while providing protection, comfort – & even moments of wonder & delight.
