Words Janice Henshaw Photos Hussel Media
Patricia Bay sunsets are gorgeous, and this award-winning two-storey home with its dramatic black-framed windows makes the most of them. Custom home designer Michael Dunsmuir, Co-Owner of Step One Design, said that his approach in designing this home focused on maximizing the ocean views from every bedroom while ensuring that, despite the narrow lot width, the entrance remained visible and inviting from the front as you approach the house.
“We set out to create a modern West Coast contemporary home, with an emphasis on an efficient floor plan and a striking exterior facade. The craftsmanship by Oak Bay Construction is flawless, and we are proud to have been involved in this multi-award-winning project.” The home is called Seascape, and Oak Bay Construction won the 2024 Gold Care Award for Best Single Family Detached Spec Home $800,000 – $1,000,000, Best New Home Design under $1,000,000, and Best Contemporary Kitchen under $100,000. (Care Awards showcase the best of Victoria Home Building.)
Oak Bay Construction co-owner/project manager Ryan Breuker said they primarily take on client-driven projects, so they see a lot of great ideas brought to fruition and have analyzed the different costs allocated to them. In building a spec (speculative) home, their experience gave them the chance to choose what they know works well. “It also allowed us to experiment with some different building techniques, styles and innovative finishes.” As to the home location, Ryan said they chose the oceanfront lot because of its unique qualities. “There are not many new building locations in the CRD adjacent to a beach that face westward to capture evening sunsets. Also, North Saanich is a beautiful, quiet community close to all amenities.”
There are always challenges in building a new home, and most of us are unaware of the multiple steps in permit applications and lot preparation that must be completed before the first piece of permanent wood is actually nailed in place. In this case, the lot was identified as an Indigenous heritage/archeology site. Therefore, there were additional steps: Oak Bay Construction hired an archeologist, worked with the local First Nations to obtain authorization, and carefully screened all the excavation material. In addition, the municipality required its water main to be extended across the front of the lot.
A terrific feature in this home is the floating staircase, backed by an impressive east-facing six- by 15-foot window that draws in the morning light. A dazzling chandelier hangs from above. Ryan says every stair tread was custom crafted out of matching engineered hardwood to perfectly match the plank flooring (Nouveau 7 Prelude collection). The treads were routed and recessed to be flush with the bottom and side steel stringer plates. An acoustic slat-wall panel (Aku Woodpanel) was recessed flush into the drywall and runs continuously past every tread, further showing intention and bringing warmth to the space. A single pane of glass spans the lower and upper stringers, minimizing the banister and reducing obstruction to the wood finishes. It’s truly a work of art and a process that required considerable planning and precision – and lots of math!
Ryan analyzed the costs of different design ideas to find ways to save money in certain areas so it could be spent on things that were more important to the overall look and functionality of the home. An example is the low cost but attractive finish on the fireplace and kitchen hood fan – the drywaller mixed a custom stucco-like finish and applied it with a low-tech instrument – a broom! The kitchen was outfitted with expensive champagne bronze hardware, while chrome hardware was used in the bathrooms; chrome is more cost-effective, and a wider selection of hardware and plumbing fixtures are available.
The HVAC system was designed with two heat pumps and air handlers instead of a single main system, because that is more efficient and has lower operating costs. “Ambient noise can be a problem in modern homes, and in addition to the stairway dampener wall, Oak Bay Construction recessed acoustic dampeners behind attractive slatted wood panels in the living room ceiling. The whole home is wired for unlimited Smart technology, including motorized blinds and a sound system. Another example of the fine craftsmanship in this home is the fireplace hearth with its perfectly seamed corners that make it look like one piece.
In the kitchen, the Fisher & Paykel appliances were made panel ready, so they are behind cabinet doors. There is no huge stainless steel fridge door reflecting fingerprints in this kitchen! The white oak slim Shaker cabinets are from Harbour City Kitchens in Victoria and have a narrower, sleeker border around the door edges. The boxes were constructed with dovetail joinery and rift-cut white oak panels. Milk stain was applied to the lower and island cabinets; they contrast nicely with the uppers and the pantry, stained with Natural Linen (Benjamin Moore). A waterfall adds to the look of the quartz-topped island, which houses a convenient sink and bar fridge.
Additional features include a pot filler and full-height backsplash with a ledge, which matches the Calacatta Nuvo countertops. A fluid glass door leads into the pantry, a great place to hide the coffee machine and other small appliances.
Some of the walls are angled to conform to the lot’s setbacks while maximizing the size of the home and ocean frontage. The garage, heated mechanical room, mud room and parking area are at the rear of the house. In the centre of the home, there is a hidden surprise behind a hall doorway – a sleek elevator. Ceilings are 10 feet on the main floor and nine feet on the second. Two great features in the ensuite bathroom are the white soaking tub with its ocean view and a zero-threshold curbless walk-in shower (it has no ledge or sill to step over).
Outside, the upper deck is made from composite materials, which require less maintenance than vinyl and are more durable. Highlighting the numerous windows is a combination of acrylic stucco and attractive composite siding panels called “NewTech Wood.” The panels are made from 95% recycled materials, including pop bottles and reclaimed wood fibres.
The significant build was by Oak Bay Construction, but several hard-working sub-trades were involved. It’s nice to acknowledge them because to build a home, it truly takes a team: Farhill Engineering, First Response Glass, Pacific Metal, Abstract Stone, LIT Electrical Ltd. Lansdowne Appliances, Heat Savers Home Comfort, Sleggs doors, Hourigans Flooring, Ply Gem Windows, One Brush Painting, Specialized Plumbing & Gas, Argus Excavating, Druet Smart Systems, and landscaping by Listco and Oak Bay Construction. A home to
be proud of!
