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Rock Bluff House
Rock Bluff House
qathet Regional District, BC, Canada
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Other Projects by Laura Killam Architecture
Rock Bluff House
qathet Regional District, BC, Canada
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2021
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
Photos
Set on a steep, moss-covered bluff overlooking Desolation Sound, Rock Bluff House is a seasonal family retreat designed for off-grid living on a remote Gulf Island. Surrounded by Douglas Fir and Arbutus trees, the north-facing site descends over 40 feet from a dense forest edge to the sea below, offering panoramic views across the layered coastal landscape and long summer sunsets to the northwest.
Designed by Laura Killam Architecture (LKA), the project responds to both the rugged topography and the client’s desire for a flexible retreat for their family of four — including two teenagers — and future extended gatherings. The home is composed of two distinct volumes connected by a shared entry deck: one for the parents, one for the teens and guests. An additional outbuilding near the forest road houses an office, gym, and systems for renewable energy.
Rather than imposing on the landscape, the design moves with it. The home steps down the bluff in twelve partial levels, allowing for a gradual, immersive journey from forest to ocean. This sectional strategy minimizes site disruption, captures light from multiple angles, and frames a progression of views—culminating in expansive glazing that opens directly to the sea.
Clad in dark-stained cedar and slate-coloured metal roofing, the house blends quietly into the forest. Inside, a calm material palette of whitewashed hemlock, soft grey millwork, and multi-toned ceramic tile creates a tranquil backdrop for the natural surroundings. Terraced decks mirror the interior levels, expanding living space outdoors. A sunken cocktail deck at the bluff’s edge offers a front-row view to seals, sea birds, and passing orcas, while a winding path leads past an outdoor shower to a rock patio and the beach beyond.
Rock Bluff House offers a modern, low-impact response to a powerful coastal site — anchored in place, but always moving through it.
Designed by Laura Killam Architecture (LKA), the project responds to both the rugged topography and the client’s desire for a flexible retreat for their family of four — including two teenagers — and future extended gatherings. The home is composed of two distinct volumes connected by a shared entry deck: one for the parents, one for the teens and guests. An additional outbuilding near the forest road houses an office, gym, and systems for renewable energy.
Rather than imposing on the landscape, the design moves with it. The home steps down the bluff in twelve partial levels, allowing for a gradual, immersive journey from forest to ocean. This sectional strategy minimizes site disruption, captures light from multiple angles, and frames a progression of views—culminating in expansive glazing that opens directly to the sea.
Clad in dark-stained cedar and slate-coloured metal roofing, the house blends quietly into the forest. Inside, a calm material palette of whitewashed hemlock, soft grey millwork, and multi-toned ceramic tile creates a tranquil backdrop for the natural surroundings. Terraced decks mirror the interior levels, expanding living space outdoors. A sunken cocktail deck at the bluff’s edge offers a front-row view to seals, sea birds, and passing orcas, while a winding path leads past an outdoor shower to a rock patio and the beach beyond.
Rock Bluff House offers a modern, low-impact response to a powerful coastal site — anchored in place, but always moving through it.
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