Refolded House . Vancouver . Canada
The project involves a weathered wood structure emerging from a wetland, aiming to reconnect the site to its natural landscape, which has been gradually disconnected by urban development. Bordering Musqueam Park in Vancouver South Lands, the area has a geological history of flooding of the Fraser River, which deposited nutrient-rich sediments and created a dynamic wetland. Over time, the area was developed, but the project's goal is to reimagine the connection to the original landscape.
Together with Alexander Suvajac Landscape
And Matt and Thomas from Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses.
Architecture by: MBMH
General Contractor: Keystone Projects Ltd
Green contractor: Fossil
Building seams to float above the landscape like a wooden monolith
Element disconnected from the urban grid and the dwelling,
creating a richer and more considerable spatial experience of the garden.
Layer referring to wetland flora
Layer refers to the sedimentary layer of the flood plane.
Picture by Alexander Suvajac Landscape
Picture by Alexander Suvajac Landscape
Picture by Alexander Suvajac Landscape
Consciously, but more often subconsciously, we scan our surroundings and create a mental map of the geological, environmental, and historical context in which we live. In this particular case, the project borders Musqueam Park and is situated in Vancouver South Lands. Large parts of this area are or were part of the floatplane route over the Fraser River arm between Vancouver Airport and South Lands. In the past, the river flooded this area, leaving a nutrient-rich deposit and creating a dynamic wetland landscape. Over time, this area was developed; the functional logistics grid system was introduced, and residential dwellings evolved from larger estates into subdivisions and a denser grid, further disconnecting the urban landscape from its natural context.
The intention behind this project was to disconnect it from its urban fabric and reconnect it to its natural landscape, creating a sense of place and a meaningful storyline, enriching the overall living experience.
The design approach to the landscape consists of four layers: the layer of sedimentation, the layer of wetland vegetation, the layer of floating elements, and the layer representing the sculptural architecture in a field of sedges.
The second layer is the plant layer, inspired by the diverse vegetation that grows in wetlands on floodplains, such as the riverbank of Vancouver South Lands. The goal was to create a carpet of low-growing sedges that function as a soft backdrop for the dwelling's architecture. We mixed native and non-native sedges to create a carpet that is both resilient and drought-resistant. The base consists of lower sedges, but here and there, a delicate flower and a solitary tall grass will emerge from the carpet, adding depth and perspective to the cinematographic experience. By incorporating the municipal boulevard into the green carpet, we maximized the field and increased the distance between the road and the dwellings.
The first layer represents the sedimentary layering of the river.
It is visible in the fine materials used for the driveway and the long, linear elements shaping the staircases in the landscape surface. This layer is humble, non-pretentious, and subtly integrated into the softscaping of the second layer, the vegetation.
Picture by Matt Mcleod
The boundary between the property and the park is diffuse and blurred, creating both privacy and a connection to the larger field in the park. To disconnect the property from its urban fabric while connecting the landscaping to the larger green structure—such as the park, the large trees around the property, and the expansive tree lines in the background—we also chose soft, unfenced edges along the property line. The transition between the carpet of lower sedges, deciduous shrubs, small trees, and the conifer background reflects the natural progression from wetland to higher, drier banks.
In this case, the use of the Berliner Weeper Serbian Spruce in the backyard—a cultivated conifer—mirrors the natural composition of conifers with a strong vertical form along a dynamic and ever-changing wetland. We positioned these conifers around the dwelling to blend the property with the existing green backdrop and create coherence with the large fir trees on the property. In the transition between the field of sedges and the conifer background, we used a selection of mostly native shrubs, like willow and serviceberry, which carry white blooms in spring, produce berries in early summer, and display vibrant autumn foliage.
The beauty of wetlands is that they represent the strong flux of a living system. The transition through the seasons is fascinating and brings us in tune with the rhythm of nature. Beyond the subtle blooms, berries, and autumn colors integrated into the planting plan, the main element is the ever-changing green carpet. The fresh, emerging light-green vegetation in the spring matures into a deeper green in summer, evolving into a patchwork of dark green-blue and golden grasses in late summer and fall. As it goes dormant, it visually illustrates that decay is part of the natural flux of life.
The third layer consists of floating elements, for example, the path to the main entrance and the linear element in the backyard framing the sedges and grasses and the strong vertical composition of the Berliner Weeper Serbian Spruce conifers.. These elements are deliberately rotated and disconnected from the orientation of both the urban grid and the house, acting as sculptures in the landscape. At the same time, they connect to the cinematic experience and unconventional tectonic-shaped spaces inside the dwelling, spaces that frame views of unexpected parts of the landscape and surroundings.
Pictures by Alexander Suvajac Landscape
The elements are functional, but above all, sculptural, steering orientation and framing key parts of the landscaping. Floating above the natural vegetation, they disconnect you from the controlled environment of suburbia and create an experience of being a guest in the landscape. Slightly rotating the composition of the boardwalk also creates a longer line, thus increasing the distance from the road and offering a more contemplative approach to the main entrance. Simplicity and scale are key in the composition of these elements. They bridge the scale of the dwelling and the vastness of the landscape, creating a still and calm experience.
The fourth and final layer is the composition of the dwelling, which floats above the soft surface of the artificial wetland. The carpet of vegetation is draped around the dwelling, softening the overall experience and creating a display for the sculptural architecture. As a weathered wood structure emerges from the wetland, it becomes a sculpture within the landscape.
The built and landscape architecture form one storyline—a narrative that explains the symbiotic relationship between the building, nature, and the natural landscape it inhabits.