Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Cortes Island Residence

Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography

CORTES ISLAND RESIDENCE

Balance Associates Architects

ARCHITECTS
Balance Associates Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Steve Keating Photography

AREA
1850.0 ft2

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
Port neville, canada

CATEGORY
House

Text description provided by architect.

The clients of this home were looking for a house that would eventually become their fulltime residence but could also serve as a getaway, vacation and gathering place in the interim.

Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography

Located at the south end of Desolation Sound on Cortes Island, British Columbia, the site is formed of natural granite bedrock and contains a dramatic peninsula and cliff which serve as a windbreak for Cortes Bay as well as the Seattle and Vancouver yacht clubs.

To the south, the house is exposed to the Straight of Georgia which delivers extremely high wind speeds and salt spray during winter storms.

Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography

To withstand the high winds, the house structure is embedded into the bedrock with steel columns and exposed wood floor beams allowing the house to cantilever off the hillside.

Steel cross braces resist the large lateral forces brought by the high winds.

Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography

The entry side of the house sits level with the bedrock and is made up of visually solid concrete forms that create the entry space and anchor the house to the site.

From the entry, one accesses the central great room which includes the living, dining and kitchen, all with expansive views to the straight beyond.

The main gathering space opens up to a south facing exterior deck by way of a grand 11ft tall by 24ft wide custom sliding door. This great room is flanked by a guest suite and study to the west and a master suite that captures the morning sunlight from the east.

Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography


Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography
Cortes Island Residence
© Steve Keating Photography


Cortes Island Residence
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Cortes Island Residence
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Cortes Island Residence
rendering
Cortes Island Residence
rendering


Cortes Island Residence
Site Plan
Cortes Island Residence

Plan

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects
T +1 206 2839930
Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects
224 W Galer St Ste Main, Seattle, WA 98119, United States