The Floathouse
Vancouver. BC, Canada
Proposed
The Floathouse is a historical building form that has existed along the coast of BC since the 1800s. Able to traverse open waters and gather into floating communities, they were practical, social, and quintessentially West Coast. This iteration of the Floathouse recalls that intimate connection with the water. Rising from near the shoreline, the primary elevation is inspired by piles of driftwood collected on the beach. The material palette is composed of soft, neutral tones that remind of bleached wood, salt, and sand.
Intricately articulated facades dissolve the building into its neighborhood while the upper levels recess from the street. As a result, numerous unique outdoor spaces emerge both at ground level and above. A large restaurant spills out into the streetscape, defining a dynamic intermediate zone between public and private. Above, a common rooftop terrace enjoys views framed by lush garden planters.
