• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Project Name: Collingwood House

Location: Vancouver Canada

Date Completed: Spring 2020

Architect: BLA Design Group & Campos Studio

Interior Designer: BLA Design Group

Construction Company: Vantac Management

Collingwood House is a single-family home in Vancouver Canada, designed as a collaborative project of BLA Design Group and Campos Studio. The site is located in a traditional residential neighbourhood comprised of diverse architectural styles. The Collingwood House is a sensitive and contemporary response rooted in local context, climate and culture, and offering breathtaking views of Downtown Vancouver. Seamless transitions between interior space and garden help shift the property towards more of a West Coast Modern style.

The Collingwood House is designed to have spaces that are responsive and personal. . It is a successful example of small-scale residential architecture which utilizes its immediate context and the local climate as design tools. Transparency, texture, and light became leading counterpoints to the design. The quality of light in Vancouver changes drastically with the seasons and so BLA Design Group had to consider the impact of this on the property. A blackened gable roof wraps the dwelling, defining its form amongst the winter’s dull grey skies, with windows letting in light from above. As the seasons change and the trees begin to blossom, this defined form remains but the textured cedar facade blends into the trees. This colour palette allows the contemporary aesthetic to maintain a sophisticated, yet humble appearance year round.

The tone and colour scheme of the exterior is carried inside with naturally stained wood floor and cabinets, white walls, and black hardware and detailing. With this light, warm and soft material palette the property’s interiors feel airy and bright. The impact of this is calm and relaxing living spaces, with a particular sense of comfort during the winter season. Big corner windows by the entry combined with a floating staircase allows the view to extend from the front to back gardens and enables natural light to flood the entire length of the living spaces. The glass railing creates transparency between inside and outside, visually expanding the living spaces. The partnership between wood and concrete textures creates a modern aesthetic that is also comfortable and warm. The white kitchen cabinets and walls evenly dissipate natural sunlight which open up the space and makes the most of the natural light that the property benefits from.