Modern house on a grassy hillside beneath a partly cloudy sky.

House over Sawbrush Ravine

The Sawbrush House endeavours to create a nuanced integration of architectural form with its natural context in the north okanagan region. Its single-level layout is crafted for aging in place, a deliberate approach for long-term usability.

The carefully choreographed entry sequence provides privacy and intrigue from the street to the front door.
The transparent entry volume connects both sides of the landscape.

In plan, the building splays apart to the south to create a private sun-filled outdoor space between two rectilinear volumes. This spatial configuration not only fosters a private outdoor experience but also capitalizes on solar exposure. The natural landscape falls across the site so that the top-side volume can walk out at grade, while the other side bridges elegantly over the natural contours of the land.

The space between: the inner courtyard that opens to the south light.

The architectural language employed, characterized by strong right angles, stands in juxtaposition to the soft, undulating landscape.This dialogue between form and context is further enriched by the crowning weathered steel roof. Serving both aesthetic and functional purposes, the roof integrates the client’s affinity for mid-century sloping roof elements while also accommodating solar panels, thereby contributing to the dwelling’s sustainability objectives.

Modern house with large overhanging roof, surrounded by grass, trees, and distant mountains, with a body of water nearby.

Internally, the raised ceiling ‘coffers’ serve a dual purpose. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they function as subtle wayfinding elements, guiding inhabitants through the space and inviting moments of pause and contemplation.

Living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lake and mountains, featuring a beige sofa, two green armchairs, a round wooden coffee table, and a textured rug.

The landscape itself acts as a transitional gradient between urban and natural realms. Starting with a more formal and controlled presentation at the street, it gradually transitions into a more organic and natural state as it progresses toward the scrubgrass ravine.

The series of sawtooths create rhythm and balance in the main living space.