Arbour House

Victoria, BC

Arbour House in Victoria, BC, integrates wood as a key architectural element, with a pleated ceiling of finger-jointed Western Hemlock serving as the centrepiece. This ceiling arbour, suspended beneath operable skylights, regulates light and air, creating dynamic sun patterns that shift throughout the day and seasons. Designed for a retired couple, the home offers accessible single-floor living with intimate, interconnected spaces perfect for hosting. The design responds to the site’s coastal breezes, sunlight, and sloping topography, offering a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Sustainably harvested wood is used throughout, from light wood framing to engineered wood components. Renewable energy systems, including geothermal and solar power, further enhance the house’s low-carbon profile, making it both functional and environmentally conscious.

Version History
  • Project uploaded by Canadian Wood Council on 10-08-2024
  • Project last updated by Canadian Wood Council on 10-29-2024
Project Details
  • Year Built

    2023

  • Number Of Stories

    1

  • Bldg system

    Mass Timber

  • Sq. Meters

    557

  • Building Type:

    Custom Innovative Residential

  • Material Types:

    Mass Timber
    Structural Composite Lumber (e.g. LVL and LSL)

Project Team
  • Canadian Bavarian Wood Supplier
  • John Patkau Photographer
  • Patkau Architects Architect
  • RJC Structural Engineering Structural Engineer
  • Rannala Freeborn Construction General Contractor
Version History
  • Project uploaded by Canadian Wood Council on 10-08-2024
  • Project last updated by Canadian Wood Council on 10-29-2024
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