Words Janice Henshaw
Photos Tanya Murchie
For many of us, the dream of owning an oceanfront home sits high on our list of “Wouldn’t It be great if … .” One family has made this dream a reality. Their new home showcases an example of Canada’s innovative coastal design on a fantastic property only steps away from a walk-on beach. Water sports, summer entertaining, family fun – it’s all there for them to enjoy.
After the homeowners bought the property, they sold the older 1960s house that was on site. Nickel Bros. barged the house up a northern inlet for another family’s use as a summer cabin. The new custom-built 5,300-square-foot home spans three levels; it has four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Deluxe features include radiant in-floor heating, high-end finishes, and custom cabinetry. The exterior is a striking mix of stucco, natural stone, grey Hardie Plank siding, cedar soffits, and fir posts and beams. Two side lights (thin vertical windows) add to the beauty of the 42-inch custom wood entry door built by Calibre Doors and Millwork Ltd.
General Contractor Adam Tyrrell, the personable and hard-working owner of AT Contracting and AT Residential Development Ltd., notes that all the Innotech windows are triple-pane with an insulating gap in between each one. This results in improved energy efficiency and less noise transmission. Different glazing is applied for east- and west-facing windows to manage solar gain and heat retention. Hardwood floors, ceiling heights ranging from 10 to 11 feet and oversized doors at eight feet create the spacious feel in this eminently functional and elegant home. Rift-cut white oak (rare, straight grain patterned), cabinets from Thomas Phillips Woodworking, white quartz countertops and a white range hood cover create an efficient and clean look to this high-end upscale kitchen. Stylish bar stools slide in underneath the well-proportioned 10-foot island, which houses a second dishwasher. A powered appliance “garage” hides counter-filling electric appliances. All major appliances are KitchenAid, including an electric induction cooktop and double ovens. Glossy white subway tiles highlight the floating shelves, which have a unique live-edge (the unfinished edge that retains the shape and bark of the tree).
In the living room, the white ceiling with its fir beams contrasts with the feature wall’s rich brown and vibrantly-coloured paintings and artwork. The cozy and attractive wood-burning Stuv 30 compact woodstove has three different operational modes and can be oriented according to preference. It is designed to burn with cleaner combustion and release low particle emissions. As to the smart-looking stairwell – “We went back and forth on the design a fair bit,” said Adam. “In consideration of kids, privacy and noise, we didn’t want it to be too open. So we closed off the top and side of the stairwell with pony walls (short walls that stand between three and four feet tall). Additional features include metal detailing and an oak wood cap that matches the floor treads.
An “away room” is off to the side of the stairs; traditionally a “space of one’s own,” it is currently used as an office or TV room. Entry closets have become multifunctional; the main one is the designated cat zone with its own entry door, and it also houses the manifold for the in-floor heat and forced air unit. The bathrooms are beautifully finished, especially the spa-like ensuite with its heated towel bar, porcelain tiles, double sinks and mirrors. Natural light flows in from the transom and picture windows. The curved white soaker tub has an incredible view of the ocean and a splendid arbutus tree. An excellent feature of the curb-less shower is its flush, non-slip base manufactured by Fiora, a company based in Italy. Shale porcelain tiles in the mud and laundry room make an attractive floor that is easy to care for. There is a full-height crawl space and a spacious mechanical room with 400-amp service, solar controls and shiny copper pipes – all very high-tech!
Living next to a beach is fantastic, and the family loves to warm up in the outdoor sauna or hot tub and then plunge into the ocean – all year round! The stand-alone electric sauna faces the sea and was custom-built in Vancouver to match the colour and design of the house. There is a convenient outdoor shower, which is super handy for swimmers. Above the stairs leading down to the beach is a seating area with a stainless-steel Solo Stove firepit. It’s a lovely spot to relax in the sun or view the stars at night. An outdoor kitchen and covered patio feature a harmonious combination of cedar soffits and fir posts and beams.
Leading into the house is a light-enhancing 18-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors; the slider is nine feet wide and weighs 1,100 lbs. A crane truck delivered it to the front door opening, and then a crew of eight moved the door into place. Talk about bringing the outside in – the view through this glass is outstanding. On the exterior, multi-coloured K2 stone contrasts handsomely with the dark metal frame. Other outdoor structures include a trellis between the house and the garage, and a beach shed with power and water. The two-and-a-half bay garage has a workbench and a charging station for two electric vehicles. It has been pre-framed for a green roof; the vegetation grows in a planting medium over a waterproof membrane that should last a lifetime.
Two heat pumps provide forced air for heating and cooling the house and heating the water for the radiant in-floor heating. Half-inch water lines are embedded in 1.5-inch concrete slab on all three floors, so there is minimal sound transmission in addition to heated floors. Five-eighths-inch fire-stop drywall and full insulation joists between each floor keep all the radiant heat going in the right direction – up –so it is warm and cozy underfoot. A complete solar power system is on the roof of this energy-efficient home.
Building a modern new home is a huge and complex project. It requires a great understanding of technology, energy efficiency, myriad regulations and a willingness to work hard in all kinds of weather. Here is an acknowledgement of these local workers at the leading edge of the home building industry. General Contractor Adam Tyrrell graduated from Parkland High School and earned his Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter designation through Camosun College. He has over 20 years of experience in high-end residential and commercial carpentry. “The quality of my work is everything to me, and I’m proud to develop and construct timeless homes for memories to be made in for decades to come.” Other companies involved with this project include Erdem Excavating Ltd., Piluso Construction Ltd., AT Contracting Ltd., Hoyt Design Co., Mari Kushino Design, and Robert DeGros Landscapes Ltd.
