This Forest Home Redefines Modern West Coast Living Beautifully

Surrounded by towering forest and sweeping mountain views, this remarkable West Coast residence proves that architecture can be as much about the spaces between buildings as the buildings themselves. Designed by Burgers Architecture, the 9,000-square-foot home unfolds as a series of elegant pavilions that embrace nature rather than compete with it, creating a sanctuary where indoor and outdoor living exist in complete harmony.

Located above the Capilano River on the eastern edge of West Vancouver, British Columbia, the single-level home was created for a family of four seeking a peaceful retreat that could effortlessly adapt to everyday life. Working alongside Sophie Burke Design for the interiors, E2 Homes for construction, and Skookum Landscapes for the landscaping, Burgers Architecture created a home that celebrates contemporary West Coast living through thoughtful design, natural materials and an intimate relationship with the landscape.

A Home Designed Around Gardens

Rather than positioning a single structure across the site, the architects divided the home into three striking gabled pavilions inspired by traditional European stone farmhouses, reinterpreted for the Canadian West Coast.

"Its form takes cues from stone-gabled European farmhouses, reimagined for the West Coast," explains principal architect Cedric Burgers. "Three gabled pavilions, anchored in stone and metal, define a protected courtyard where the gardens surrounding the property become the organising element of the site. The silhouette is deliberately simple — clean, durable forms that allow the surrounding forest and sky to remain the focal points."

The concept centres on a series of carefully composed outdoor spaces rather than a single dominant structure.

"This house is conceived as a home of gardens," says Burgers. "Rather than occupying the site as a single object, the pavilions shape a series of outdoor rooms — spaces for gathering, play, reflection, and retreat. Each garden speaks to a different rhythm of daily life: the welcoming entry garden, the quiet bedroom flower garden, the internal pool courtyard at the heart of the home, the bocce and sculpture garden to the north, and the sports court garden tucked discreetly into the landscape."

Together, these five distinct gardens encourage movement between indoors and outdoors, allowing every part of the property to serve a unique purpose throughout the day and across the seasons.

Architecture That Adapts To Family Life

Rather than prescribing how the family should live, the home's layout was designed to evolve with changing routines and lifestyles.

"Rather than prescribing a single way of living, the design accommodates the natural ebb and flow of a family's daily rhythms," Burgers explains. "Life can expand outward into the landscape or contract into more intimate spaces as needed — allowing the home to adapt gracefully to the seasons, to weather, and to the shifting patterns of family activity."

The expansive site allows the architecture to unfold horizontally, with each pavilion carefully positioned to maximise natural light, mountain views and connections to the gardens. Pathways, courtyards and terraces guide movement naturally throughout the property, reinforcing the feeling that architecture and landscape are inseparable.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living

One of the defining features of the home is its effortless connection to the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, inviting sunlight, fresh air and forest views deep into the living spaces.

"These large sliding assemblies are not only a defining architectural gesture but are calibrated to support natural cross-ventilation throughout the day, allowing the house to breathe with the coastal climate," says Burgers.

Deep roof overhangs extend the living areas outdoors, providing shade during summer and shelter through winter. An outdoor pavilion functions as a fully equipped open-air living room, complete with a dramatic fireplace and outdoor kitchen featuring an integrated barbecue and generous preparation areas for entertaining.

Interiors Designed For Everyday Comfort

Inside, Sophie Burke Design created interiors that balance timeless elegance with practical family living.

"Designed for entertaining, the centre of the home has generous, open spaces grounded by a central, double-sided fireplace," says Sophie Burke. "We endeavoured to combine modern functionality; such as smart home automation, stain-resistant materials, and thoughtful storage, with traditional elegance: warm woods, refined details, and architectural features. Everything was designed to feel easy, comfortable, and enduring."

The chef's kitchen is fitted with Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele appliances, double sinks and extensive storage, while a generous island encourages family gatherings. Throughout the home, built-in bookshelves, deep sectional seating, a media room, carefully layered lighting and discreet storage contribute to a sense of effortless comfort.

The principal bedroom sits within its own private wing, while a separate guest suite overlooking the pool offers privacy for visiting family and friends.

A Restrained Material Palette

Natural materials reinforce the home's quiet sophistication. Stone, zinc, white stucco and expansive glazing define the exterior architecture, while warm timber, textured stone and finely crafted metalwork soften the interiors.

"The homeowners provided our team with a clear stylistic direction: a love for muted, natural tones balanced with strong black accents," recalls Burke. "For this family with two teens and a new puppy, materials were selected to be both beautiful, and inherently durable."

Soft textiles, recessed window treatments and carefully selected furnishings create warmth without detracting from the surrounding landscape, allowing nature to remain the home's defining feature.

A New Vision Of West Coast Living

More than a contemporary family residence, this project demonstrates how architecture can create a lifestyle centred on nature, comfort and connection. Every decision, from the placement of the pavilions to the choice of durable materials, reflects a belief that luxury is found in spaces designed to be genuinely lived in.

As Burgers concludes, "We know luxury should be lived in, not just viewed through a lens. That belief guides every decision we make — from the materials we choose to the way we shape space, movement, and light. Our homes are designed to be touched, inhabited, and enjoyed every day, not staged monuments to aesthetics. They're places where families cook, gather, play, and retreat, surrounded by craftsmanship that feels grounded and effortless."

Credits

Architecture: Burgers Architecture, Instagram: @burgersarchitecture

Interior design: Sophie Burke Design, Instagram: @sophieburkedesign

Construction: E2 Homes, Instagram: @e2homesltd

Landscape: Skookum Landscapes, Instagram: @skookumlandscapes

Photos: Ema Peter Photography, Instagram: @emaphotographi

Production: Karine Monié, Instagram: @karinemonie