The clients, a visual artist and craftsperson, envisioned a home that balances intimacy with openness, providing spaces for retreat, creativity, and connection with accessibility in mind. They purchased a steep, sloping waterfront property above a busy section of Saanich Inlet and engaged Woven Architecture and Design to design a home accommodating their diverse needs.
Perched on a forested slope, Layer House quietly observes the shifting light and rhythms of the landscape and marine traffic below. The 5,100-square-foot home unfolds across two levels, accompanied by a 1,300-square-foot accessory building connected via a bridge.
According to the architects, the steeply sloping site required a home that steps down the landscape through a series of horizontal tiers or layers, articulated architecturally with exposed floor and roof plates. Between these layers, walls are defined by vertical wood siding and vertically framed windows and doors. All materials were carefully selected for durability in the coastal environment.
Arrival occurs on the upper level, where the primary bedroom, living, and dining areas frame sweeping views of the inlet. Expansive glazing draws the forest and water into daily life, while natural materials anchor the home in its surroundings. Below, two guest rooms, an office, gym, and sauna open onto wraparound decks and an outdoor terrace with a hot tub and shower – spaces for restoration and quiet reflection.
Across the bridge, the accessory building supports artistic pursuits, with a studio above and a woodshop below. This separation of work and living spaces allows creativity to unfold in harmony with the landscape. Every room opens outward, inviting the forest, water, and sky into daily experience, and the architecture steps gently with the terrain, dissolving the boundary between dwelling and nature.
Because of the steep slope, the lower level of the house had to be recessed into the high side of the site, resulting in a portion of the structure being built below grade. This condition called for robust structural solutions to maintain stability. The challenging topography also shaped the interior layout, with thoughtful planning needed to bring natural light into every part of the home.
Sustainability is central to the home’s design. Nestled into the hillside, the structure benefits from the earth’s stable thermal mass, improving energy efficiency and comfort year-round. High-performance glazing, thermally broken doors, and well-insulated assemblies minimize heat loss while maximizing natural light and passive solar gain.
A rainwater harvesting system collects and filters roof runoff for irrigation and non-potable use, reducing municipal water demand. Durable, low-maintenance materials – locally sourced wood, concrete, and metal – ensure longevity and allow the home to age gracefully within its environment. As such, Layer House becomes both shelter and observatory – an immersive dialogue between home, craft, and the elemental beauty of Saanich Inlet.
