Shorncliff
Vancouver, Canada
This residential project, located on the Vancouver waterfront, proposes a contemporary housing development integrated into the surrounding forest and coastline. The design seeks to harmonize urban living with the natural environment, offering comfort, elegance, and a strong connection to the landscape.
Concept and Urban Integration
The complex is composed of two residential blocks positioned parallel to the shoreline, creating an open layout that ensures visual permeability and panoramic views of the ocean. The arrangement enhances privacy while promoting a sense of community through shared outdoor spaces.
The project emphasizes a balance between density and openness, delivering high-quality housing without losing the human scale or overwhelming the natural setting.
Functional Layout
The buildings include:
Spacious residential units with open-plan living areas and direct access to terraces.
Private outdoor lounges with integrated fire pits, extending the living experience beyond the interior.
Shared landscaped areas that connect the residences to the shoreline.
Underground services and circulation to preserve the natural character of the site.
Sustainability and Comfort
The project incorporates sustainable design strategies aligned with Vancouver’s environmental standards:
Optimization of solar orientation to reduce energy consumption.
Use of natural ventilation and cross-lighting.
Selection of local and durable materials with low maintenance requirements.
Green areas that function as ecological buffers and promote biodiversity.
Architectural Design
The architectural language is defined by horizontal slabs with deep terraces, generating rhythm and shadow play while providing generous outdoor spaces for each unit. Large glazed openings establish a seamless relationship between interiors and exteriors, maximizing natural light and framing views of the sea and surrounding forest.
Natural materials such as wooden slats soften the contemporary concrete structure, creating warmth and a dialogue with the wooded environment.
