Cortes Island Home In British Columbia, Canada

This beautifully designed, modern residence represents the work of a team of skilled architects from Balance Associates, and it can be found on an island called Cortes in British Columbia, Canada. The home was perched on the edge of a granite cliff and features amazing views of the Straight of Georgia on its southern side.

In order to be able to face the strong winds and salt sprays that occur in the area during the cold winter months, the architects decided to create a sturdy structure for the residence that blends with the bedrock itself thanks to a series of steel columns and exposed floor beams. The entry area is found on the bedrock level and comprises sturdy concrete shapes. The entryway leads towards a great room found at the core of the house, which includes a dining space, a living room and a kitchen. The main social area is connected to an exterior deck by a large sliding door that measures 11 feet in height and 24 feet in width.

Other noteworthy areas include a master suite that faces the east as well as a study area and a guest suite on the western side.

Photos by Steve Keating Photography

From the Balance Associates:

Located on Cortes Island, British Columbia, the Cortes Residence is sited on a granite cliff face that serves as a wind break for Cortes Bay and the Seattle and Vancouver yacht clubs. To the south, the house is exposed to the Straight of Georgia which delivers 100mph plus winds and salt spray during winter storms. To withstand the winds, the house structure is embedded into the bedrock with cross braced steel columns and exposed floor beams allowing the house to cantilever gracefully off the hillside.

The entry side of the house sits level with the bedrock and is made up of visually solid concrete forms that create the entry space and anchor the house to the site. From the entry, one accesses the central great room which includes the living, dining and kitchen, all with expansive views to the straight beyond. The main gathering space opens up to a south facing exterior deck by way of a grand 11ft tall by 24ft wide custom sliding door. This great room is flanked by a guest suite and study to the west and a master suite that captures the morning sunlight from the east.