Enjoying oceanfront views in the Tsawwassen Beach Home, designed by Frits de Vries Architect

Overlooking the painterly landscape of Centennial Beach, the Tsawwassen Beach Home is a compact house that takes advantage of its oceanfront surroundings, and seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. Designed by Vancouver-based Frits de Vries Architect, the project received a Lieutenant Governor’s Merit for Architecture from the Architectural Institute of British Columbia's 2017 Architectural Awards.

Read on for more.

The two-story Tsawwassen Beach Home is built on a narrow 35' lot overlooking the Centennial Beach front. The house's position maximizes ocean views and frames the garden and courtyard, while also protecting those spaces from strong ocean winds.

The home's elevated position offers protection from seasonal ocean tides as well as privacy from the public beach below.

The main floor — which comprises the living and dining spaces, kitchen, and a private reading area — is also connected to the entry garden, courtyard, and waterfront patio. An enclosed powder room and office/den can also be found inside. The 11'-tall sliding glass doors let natural light inside the house.

Take the glass elevator to the upper floor and you'll find the master bedroom and ensuite on the gardenside, while the media room, guest bedroom and ensuite are on the oceanside. The exterior is mostly made of natural stone, metal cladding, and porcelain tile, while the interiors are accented with dark wood ceiling contrasted with simple white walls. The architects also incorporated sustainability elements like rooftop photovoltaics and an in-floor radiant heating supplied by an HRV system.

In case you missed them, check out the rest of the 2017 AIBC Architectural Award winners in the link below.

Photos courtesy of the 2017 AIBC Architectural Awards.