Shaw House: Contemporary villa by Patkau Architects

Located in Vancouver, Canada. This striking contemporary villa is a highlight project of Patkau Architects that has a lap pool located above grade, a robust structure is required that is resistant to significant lateral forces. As a result, the villa is constructed almost entirely of reinforced concrete.

Architect's description: The house is organized with living spaces on grade, private spaces above grade, and music room below grade. The dimensions of the site made it difficult to locate the lap pool on grade while retaining generous living spaces. Consequently, the lap pool is located above grade, along the west side of the villa, connected at either end to the terraces off of the bedroom and study.

Within the narrow floor plates spatial expansion is only possible outward over the water and upward through the volume of the villa. Small spaces are enlarged with generous ceiling heights, while the fully interiorized dining room rises through the floor above to a clerestory that brings both daylight and light reflected from the lap pool deep into the central area of the plan.

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