RUF Project on Salt Spring

Ah, Salt Spring, how did you become a home to most splendid recent architecture in BC? What is your secret?

On the heels of the Linear House profile last week (see post below), comes another linear house on Salt Spring - this one designed by young studio RUF project, previously posted about here. They first presented this house design at Pecha Kucha Vancouver this summer.

Panoramic views from the site are a cue for the linear orientation of the main space. Heroic gluelam beams at the windows free the facade of structural supports, allowing the entire water side of the volume to be glazed. The whole volume is also like a bridge between the two wings, there is a great lightness in that section of the span.

It harks back to Smith House 2 by Erickson - perhaps, a tribute? They were inspired by Erickson one way or another:

Luckily, RUF was working with “ideal clients,” whose design brief of rustic Canadian cabin meets modern villa allowed them relatively free rein. Inspired by West Coast mid-century modernists – especially Arthur Erickson – the house is a contemporary take on the longhouse that pushes the concept of post and beam to its limits.

For a much better description of the project, I would defer to a pro - Hidani Ditmar has recently profiled  RUF Project and this house in Globe and Mail.

all images by Ivan Hunter; drawings by RUF Project

Linear House by Patkau Architects

An outstanding house design has been completed a little while ago by Patkau Architects on Salt Spring Island. A row of mature douglas firs marches across the property inspiring the orientation and form of the building. The building's two ends, main residence and guest quarters, are separated by a breeze way. The rest of the house opens up completely to the outside by retracting multiple door panels - "an open-air pavilion". 

Next to the form, the cladding is a strong supporting act - charcoal fibre-cement panels - relentless and crisp. Lack of any other cladding is so very refreshing! The form and the skin make it somewhat hard, but also...  

...pure. 

Uncompromising and memorable. 

The heaviness of the upper mass is inverted inside into literally lighter upper interior portions: upper walls and ceiling are lit up with lighting and skylights ( depending on whether it is night time or daytime). In a palette of light woods and concrete, the interior intentionally plays off the exterior. The structural effort is well worth the all the wonderful moves that happen in this design.

I suspect it will rake in many more design awards.

Now, it would be great to get more public works in Vancouver of the same caliber! Lucky Salt Spring... 

oh, a twee little shed - I see what you did there

This shower would be a lot harder to leave in the morning!

All photos are by James Dow and drawings by Patkau Architects via ArchDaily.

Migrating Landscapes Competition

"The Migrating Landscapes Organizer (MLO) is pleased to announce an open ideas competition for young Canadian architects and designers. This competition will be the main process for creating Canada’s official entry to the 2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture, entitled MIGRATING LANDSCAPES.

Themed around migration and cultural identity, MIGRATING LANDSCAPES examines how we as Canadians express our diverse cultural memories and the settling/unsettling dynamic of migration in contemporary settlements and/or dwellings. The competition invites young Canadian architects and designers to reflect on their migration experiences and cultural memories, and to designdwellings onto a new landscape, an exhibition infrastructure designed by MLO.

The intention of this competition is to bring the Venice Biennale to Canada, by promoting and exposing the up-and-coming generation of Canadian architects and designers to the Canadian public before showcasing them in Venice. The goal is to build a young, architectural “Team Canada” to represent Canada in Venice"

MLO competition brief.

BTW - BC competition jury is: 

Omer Arbel

Peter Cardew

Chris MacDonald

Leslie van Duzer

Register/submit September 15. 

Hamonic + Masson-Housing and medical centre

Housing and Medical Centre,Pantin,France..by Hamonic + Masson ..



here ..



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BBC Human Planet -- Cities

BBC Human Planet documentary..CITIES..



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Erickson on Sunnycrest

Having updated the post immediately below on 3635 Sunnycrest Drive, I am compelled to note that this house is next door to a triangular house by Arthur Erickson at 3623 Sunnycrest.

BMW Guggenheim Lab Construction Time-lapse

BMW Guggenheim Lab Construction Time-lapse..

official page ..
here ..

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Vietinbank HQ by Foster & Partners

Vietinbank HQ Vietnam..by Foster & Partners ..

here more ..

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