‘To The Studs’ is an all-encompassing transformation of a home for a family who relocated to Nelson after 16 years of living in Los Angeles. The father (an acclaimed photographer with a passion for architecture) and mother (a dedicated school teacher) wanted their children to experience the freedoms that are unique to remote and wild places. In Nelson they could be close to it all… they could know their neighbours, walk to town, bike to school, and have nature at their doorstep.
Buying a home that had interesting architectural bones, but was degenerating from decades of neglect and peculiar DIY renovations, was the start of a three year passion-project for the family. The goal was to thoroughly revive and re-imagine the house. To expand its footprint and remedy its shortcomings while embracing its original Modernity. In 1980, when the house was first built, it had a spirit of innovation and a remarkable commitment to Modernism in a time and place where Modern homes were uncommon - the local building inspector, at that time, applied the words “experimental construction” to the home. While our current renovation and addition is not a ‘restoration’ of the 1980 design, it is inspired by the clean lines, honest materiality and courageous nature of the original home.
In our (meaning the collaborative efforts of Architect, Owner and Builder) revival of the home, it is entirely gutted… To-The-Studs. The flat roof line is elongated, with timber and steel, to define an open carport. A secondary suite is added to the house, providing flexible space for visiting family or short term rentals. A new studio, which is both connected to and separate from the house, is the photographer’s creative space. Kitchen, living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms are stripped bare and re-finished. Mechanical and electrical systems removed and installed from scratch. Windows replaced. Yards are xeriscaped. New, low maintenance, exterior cladding is a dance between the mesmerising shou sugi ban (charred cedar) and a ghostly bleached cedar. Shadow and light, like timeless black and white photography, together in contrast and in balance.
Location: Nelson, BC
Client/Owner: Private
Team: SOA (Architect), Effistruc Engineering (Structural), Habitat Custom Building (General Contractor)
Photos: Bryce Duffy
Status: Built