The Outlook
Designed without a specific client in mind, Outlook became an exploration of timeless living — a home shaped by place, proportion, and the feeling of home itself. Positioned carefully along the bank to embrace sweeping valley views while maintaining privacy between neighbouring properties, the design balances openness with intimacy, creating spaces that feel calm, grounded, and deeply livable.
Westcoast Modern Forest Home in Vernon, BC
THE OUTLOOK
Project Location: Vernon, BC
Project Type: Executive Home
Built: 2023
A home designed to feel connected — to the land, the light, and everyday life.
Some homes begin with a detailed brief and years of collected inspiration.
Outlook began differently.
When we purchased the neighbouring property beside our own, the intention was simple: to thoughtfully influence how the site would ultimately be developed — preserving privacy, respecting the landscape, and creating a home that felt naturally connected to its surroundings. At the time, we didn’t know who the future owners would be. There were no client meetings, mood boards, or predefined requirements guiding the design process.
Instead, the project became an exploration of how a home could feel.
The exterior aesthetic was shaped by a desire to integrate naturally with the surrounding neighbourhood while still feeling refined and intentional. The architecture draws from familiar forms and proportions, creating something contemporary yet approachable — a home designed to appeal to a wide range of lifestyles without feeling trend-driven.
A series of opposing roof slopes were used to break apart the massing and introduce movement throughout the structure. As the home approaches the edge of the bank, the form gradually rises from a low horizontal profile into a central two-storey volume, allowing the architecture to feel both grounded and dynamic within the landscape.
Positioning the house as close to the bank as possible became one of the defining moves of the project. The intent was to create an immediate relationship with the valley views beyond — not simply framing them, but allowing the experience of the landscape to become part of everyday life within the home.
Each time we visit the property, the layout continues to stand out.
Although the living space is just over 3,000 square feet, the home feels expansive without excess. From the beginning, versatility was central to the design. We wanted the layout to function equally well for a retired couple seeking calm and simplicity as it would for a young family needing flexibility and connection.
At the heart of the home is the main communal living space — warm, open, and intentionally connected to every major area of the house. The family entrance moves naturally through the utility spaces before arriving in the kitchen and pantry, while a feature staircase creates a strong architectural moment beside the guest entry and anchors the living and dining spaces together.
The owner and guest suites are positioned just beyond the central living area, creating privacy without disconnecting them from the rhythm of the home. No matter where you are within the layout, the experience always draws you back toward this central gathering space.
That sense of connection became the foundation of the entire project.
Outlook was never designed to feel overly formal or untouchable. It was designed to feel lived in — a home where everyday routines, conversations, gatherings, and quiet moments all feel equally supported by the architecture around them.
Every aspect of the design was guided by a desire to create a home that feels intentional, welcoming, and deeply connected to place.
A space meant to be lived in and loved.
IMAGE/VIDEO CREDITS: Special thanks to Jordan McGrath for his remarkable work capturing this project. His ability to translate architecture into emotion and story is truly exceptional, and I am incredibly grateful for the care, artistry, and dedication he brought to helping tell our story.
