Gleneagles Waterfront Home

Perched on a breathtaking one-acre rocky peninsula with panoramic views of the Salish Sea and Passage Island, this West Vancouver property is a testament to seamless integration between landscape and architecture. The homeowners, who have cherished this site for decades, envisioned a contemporary transformation – one that would honour the natural beauty of the land while creating a modern sanctuary for their growing family.

Collaborating with the esteemed architecture team at Garret Cord Werner, our landscape design draws inspiration from both the home’s Asian-influenced modern aesthetic and the rugged coastal surroundings. The entrance welcomes visitors with a soft, ephemeral approach – a land bridge gracefully spans lush plantings and sculptural rock mounds, evoking an island-like effect. A border of ascending pines provides privacy while maintaining a natural rhythm with the landscape.

On the steep waterfront side, multi-tiered decks and thoughtfully placed gathering spaces are meticulously integrated into the bedrock, each offering a distinct experience of the dramatic seascape. From the infinity-edge, stone-clad pool with an integrated lounge bench to the elevated spa deck, every element is designed for immersion in nature. Additional highlights include intimate seaside lounging areas, a kayak launch, and a custom fire table setting, perfect for hosting under the stars.

Views from the sea and on-site reveal the property's dramatic topography - rugged, steep terrain with expansive exposed bedrock, shaping the foundation of the landscape design.

A striking sculpture will be preserved as a focal point, seamlessly integrated into the new landscape design. The existing pool will be decommissioned due to foreshore regulations, and many areas require regrading.

The inspiration for the front landscape draws from Asian aesthetics, featuring soft, meandering gravel paths and minimal groundcovers. For the waterfront firepit lounge, inspiration comes from coastal California landscapes, incorporating stone walls and hardy plants suited to the exposed coastal environment.

Hundreds of sketches were distilled into three concepts, then refined into a final design through close collaboration with the clients and architect team.

The site’s varied conditions inspired a rich plant palette - from an Asian-inspired front landscape with windswept pines, groundcovers, and spring bulbs to resilient, salt-tolerant plants at the waterfront.

A detailed model showcases the tiered layout, highlighting carefully placed gathering spaces supported by stone walls built from onsite blast rock. Expansive decks and a large pool provide ample space for both entertainment and uninterrupted ocean views.

Model stills highlight the waterfront kayak launch, accessed via a crushed gravel path through an arbutus grove. The grand front entrance and spacious driveway create a serene and welcoming arrival experience.