An incredible site overlooking Lake Okanagan offered immediate inspiration for this home for a young family. The client’s wanted a modest, well-organized home that used space efficiently and respected the site.

LOLA quickly worked through a series of concepts for the home exploring circulation and orientation; ultimately arriving at a simple Scandinavian inspired form that the house occupies. Views, solar exposure, cross-ventilation, bike storage, and outdoor space were key considerations throughout the design process. The sloping site combined with height constraints in the area, meant that the entry and primary shared spaces are upstairs, with the bedrooms on the lower walk-out level facing towards the lake.

The design features a simple black standing seam ‘house’ form sitting on a concrete base; the form has been carved away to reveal warm wood and windows set under overhangs – making the most of the views and sunlight to the south and east, while providing shading in the hot summer months to reduce solar gains.