Double Horizon: North Vancouver Home

Set across two deep lots connected by a central laneway, this project posed a unique design challenge: how to unify a main residence on one lot and a fully outfitted pool house on the other into a cohesive landscape – all while maintaining privacy and avoiding the feel of a multi-family development.

Our task was to establish a landscape framework with its own identity, one that could mediate between the scale of the two buildings, the openness of the lots, and the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. A key unifying element is a custom steel fence system, defined by a series of folded metal elbows that span both properties, paired with climate-responsive boulevard plantings that root the design in place.

Community connection was also central to the project. The laneway gardens were designed to remain open and welcoming to neighbours, and the boulevard plantings extend beyond the property lines. This intentional softening of boundaries visually enlarges the site and integrates the garden into the broader streetscape.

The boulevard was conceived as an extension of the private landscape - a soft, textural threshold planted with varieties of moore grasses, salvia, yarrow, and other seasonal perennials. This strategy of the landscape architecture reinforces the modern estate-like feel of the property, while contributing positively to the neighbourhood’s ecological fabric.

The indoor-outdoor landscape of the main home is supported by a secondary pergola, a custom fire pit, and an al fresco dining and barbecue station. A framed lawn - simple and durable - offers space for the family’s children to play.

A large water feature establishes a contemplative focal point for an outdoor seating area.

Throughout the site, the seam-welded custom steel fencing system reappears, anchoring circulation and reinforcing continuity between the two lots. Paired with clipped hedging, it creates a Tetris-like rhythm that is both sculptural and architectural.

Designed for generous indoor-outdoor living, the large folding doors of the pool house extend onto the entertainment area framed by modern, drought-tolerant plantings with subtle California influences.

A covered outdoor dining area is anchored by a custom, cantilevered steel pergola - precision-welded as a single, seamless structure. It sits adjacent to a large fire pit lounge and a gym terrace, creating a series of distinct yet connected outdoor living zones.