Perched on a steep, forested slope at the edge of Kootenay Lake, Shore House is a family home that responds to its challenging terrain with deep foundations and cantilevered floors projecting over the landscape. Suspended among towering firs and cedars, the home offers a true "tree house" experience. Gently swaying tree trunks filter light from the shimmering waters beyond, creating a unique sensation of living high in the canopy. Shore House evokes the image of an osprey poised above the water.
The exterior of the home combines local materials and robust construction details to anchor the house in its dramatic setting while conveying a regional modern aesthetic. Douglas Fir glulam beams support the roof, with Western Red Cedar finishing the ceilings and soffits. Alaskan Yellow Cedar lines a footbridge to the main entrance and clads the sun screens on the exterior decks. Concrete (in the foundation and chimney) and steel (in cantilevering deck beams) express stability and strength on this steep and precarious site. The muted exterior colour palette blends seamlessly with the surroundings, allowing the house to compliment rather than compete with its environment. Regional modernist influences are reflected in details like the “ganged" rain chains, inspired by a nearby hot springs' unheralded modernist heritage.
At its core, Shore House is a family home. With a suite for visiting extended family and generous open-plan spaces, such as the kitchen-living-dining area and outdoor decks, Shore House accommodates large gatherings, but is equally inviting for quiet mornings, sipping coffee as the sun glistens on the lake. A gently rising roofline draws the living spaces toward floor-to-ceiling glazing and large sliding doors, extending the interior out onto the deck. A custom millwork kitchen and concrete fireplace anchor the heart of the home.
In the more private areas of Shore House, the bedrooms, bathrooms, and corridors are nestled among the treetops, each offering closely cropped views of the trees and lake. For owners passionate about basketball and mountain biking, the home includes a gym, a ‘gear garage,’ and a deep foundation—required by the site’s geotechnical challenges—that doubles as a spot for year-round hoops.
Shore House is defined by its regional architecture, solid construction, and geotechnical solutions. Above all, it is a family home that embraces the unique experience of living among the treetops, overlooking the shimmering waters of Kootenay Lake.
Location: Nelson, BC
Client/Owner: Private
Project Team: SOA (Architect), Juniper Engineering (Structural), GeoPacific Engineering and Crowsnest Engineering (Geotechnical), Ramm Custom Build (Builder)
Photos: Tamarack (Addison Rickaby)
Status: Built
Recognition: Archdaily