houses at 1340

North Vancouver, BC

The Houses at 1340 are a set of three homes in North Vancouver. The unique site is located between a forested park and a quiet lane with minimal traffic. Turning down a quiet cul-da-sac, the three identical homes, all clad in shades of grey, step along the sloping lot, resonating with the surrounding greenery as well as the nearby bungalows. From the street, two-vehicle carports with attached coach houses screen in an interior courtyard and create a sense of privacy on the ground floor. The massing of each home’s second level also plays with privacy. The upper level balconies are recessed within wrap-around enclosures, distinctive forms that are visible from the street, but which block out the site of the neighbours from within. The more public spaces — the living and dining areas — face south, to Vancouver’s skyline. The more private areas — the kitchen and the master suite — are nestled in the quiet of the ravine. The best of both views is experienced on the full, rooftop patio. The stair access is positioned so that it isn’t visible to the neighbours, creating the illusion of a completely flat roof. Once up top, the homeowners will enjoy an uninterrupted survey of their surroundings.