Project Brief
An artistically designed apartment for a couple who spend their time between Vancouver and Shanghai. Taking advantage of the incredible views over English Bay and False Creek and creating a comfortable and inspiring space for working and relaxing as well as hosting intimate gatherings.
Creative Response
The floorplan was rethought entirely so the views were maximized. Upon entering the flat the view through the kitchen and dining nook, with a white marble Agape Casa table and Bocci 73 light installation, extends out across False Creek and Granville Island Market.
A playful mix of asymmetrical elements curated with a sense of balance create a whimsical and poised atmosphere. The visual weight of natural stone and strong rectilinear forms are mixed with lighter elements like swagged black coax lighting cables, thin millwork framing, 1/4” shadow reveals, brass detailing and silk toss cushions.
Architectural lighting was key to bringing the same subtle ambience from day to night. Vertical light coves in the bathrooms along with playful decorative fixtures.
Natural stone was used extensively, adding dramatic impact with tactile leather-textured surfaces that beg to be touched. Sandblasted concrete, Venetian plaster, soft touch laminate, and fabrics from linen, leather, mohair and silk add to the visual and tactile layering.
Minimalist detailing in the bespoke millwork with touch-to-open doors and drawers (including concealed appliances) accentuates form without hardware clutter or the interruption of finger pull channels.
While the finishes and detailing elevate the sense of luxury, they were designed to avoid an overly delicate sense of preciousness. The clients love to cook, so durability and functionality were key as we refined the kitchen details.
Architectural Features
- The dramatically veined marble backsplash in the kitchen extends floor to ceiling, behind the tall cabinets on the left and tucks behind the grey wall on the right.
- An asymmetrical island, 50” deep, allows for a concealed wine cellar on the left and seating for up to six on the right.
- Gold and brass accents were subtly infused throughout the flat. In the kitchen, with the brass hoodfan, gold Vola faucet and vertical finger pull reveal on the island.
- A sliding wall between bedroom and living room optimizes views from the bed – allowing for a loft like feel when the client is on personal retreat, and privacy when entertaining
- Super thin, 1/4” shadow reveals at walls, ceilings and millwork for a refined, tailored appearance
- Playful Bocci lighting installations in the dining area, primary Ensuite, and above the Agape tub were installed with custom ghost-mountingtechnique to minimize clutter on the ceiling.
- The greencustom stone sink in Avocatus Quartzite from Brazil adds dramatic colour in the primary ensuite with a whimsical Bocci 87 lighting installation and the warmth of a New Format Studio brass mirror and gold Vola faucet.
- The white marble Agape Casa dining table creates an intimate spot for tea or working from home. The Collection Particular banquet allows for quick naps while basking in the sunshine with the best view in the flat.
- White Venetian Plaster with a high polished texture creates a subtle reflective plane above the limestone and steel fireplace, gentle contrasting with the light grey walls throughout.
- An offset backlit mirror and custom metal hand towel tray play off the asymmetrical Agape Lariana sink. Leathered black marble frames the Ingo Maurer pendant.
- A Jan Kath rug brings the sunset indoors with bespoke selection of colours gradiating from blues and greens to oranges and yellows.
- The sculptural Ottocento bathtub from Agape was located in the primary bedroom to take advantage of views looking out over English Bay and the mountains of the sunshine coast.
- High traffic corners in the media room were softened with a 4” radiuswall corner
Full height doors and concealed sliding door hardware allow hallways to extend into rooms
- Diffused linear lighting at the intersection of the wall and ceiling in the hallway and entry provide ample lighting in the darkest part of the flat while maintaining a very clean look on the ceiling.
- Custom metalwork was used throughout the flat to refine and finish areas – mirror frames, towel holders, custom ventilation grills, fireplace surround
- Quartz sills and ledges were constructed at windows and balcony doors to conceal electrical and heating pads in floor
- A custom console of brass and marble was designed to fit in the narrow media room, concealing the soundbar and AV equipment below the Panasonic Frame TV
- A custom blackened steel handtowel holder was designed for the Lariana Washbasin (by Patricia Urquiola for Agape) in the guest bathroom
- Metal sheathed columns with brass detailing conceal data cables that were not movable because they run vertically the entire height of the 30 story building. An art light is incorporated into one beside the sofa in the media room.
- Minimalist 1/4” reveals at the floor and ceiling create a refined, tailored appearance to the architectural detailing
- Soft grey walls, matching the Grigio Efesso millwork, create a diffused ambiance for the sculptural furnishings, dramatic stone surfaces and extensive art collection
Team:
Architect: Falken Reynolds
Contractor: Lightfoot Construction, Warren Lightfoot
Photography: Ema Peter
Material Used:
Kitchen
1. Gaggenau Kitchen Appliances: Gaggenau
2. 590 Mixer with Double Swivel Spout: Vola
Dining Nook
1. 73.1M Semi Swag Pendant: Bocci
Media Room
1. Wirering Wall Light: Flos
Primary Bedroom
1. White Porcelain TS1 Wall Light: Michael Anastassiades
2. DS150 Wall Mounted Sconce: Michael Anastassiades
3. 84.1M Pendant (at bathtub): Bocci
4. Wall Mounted Tub Filler: Vola
5. Ottocento Small Bathtub: Agape
Primary Ensuite
1. 87.1M Pendant with Mini Canopy: Bocci
2. Gold Shower Set: Vola
3. 500T1 One-Handle Mixer Faucet: Vola
Dressing Room
1. Light o Light A Sconce: Parachilna
2. Sliding Closet Doors: Glas Italia
3. Zenit Closet System: Rimadesio
Guest Bathroom
1. Johnny B. Butterfly Pendant: Ingo Maurer
2. Washbasin Lariana: Agape
3. 121AP Wall Mounted Faucet: Vola
Throughout
1. Mini Diro Trimless Light Fixture: Delta Light
2. Spy Trimless Light Fixture: Delta Light
3. Spy On Light Fixture: Delta Light
4. Double 22.5.2: Bocci
5. 22.3.10 USB Outlet: Bocci
Materials
Throughout
1. Riftcut & Fumed White Oak: Hardwood Flooring
Living Room
1. White Veneitian Plaster: Above Fireplace
2. Honed Fior di Bosco Marble: Below Fireplace
3. Cold Rolled Steel: Flanking Fireplace
Kitchen
1. Brass: Hoodfan Cover
2. Leathered Invisible White Marble: Backsplash Wall
3. Leathered Super White Quartzite: Countertops
4. Fenix NTM Grigio Efesso Laminate: Millwork
Primary Bedroom
1. Honed White Emperor Marble: Tub Walls
Primary Bathroom
1. Leathered Avocatus Quartzite: Custom Sink & Vanity
2. Graphite Marble Tile: Walls
Guest Bathroom
1. Leathered Sky Black Marble: Walls
Furniture
Entry
1. Arabesque Console AR/150 F: Veblen
2. Tip of the Tongue Lamp: Michael Anastassiades
3. Cloud One Rug: Jan Kath
4. Kooh-i-Noor Mirror: Glas Italia
Media Room
1. Candy Light Lamp Medium: Baccarat
2. Coupe Floor Lamp Brass (LE): Oluce
3. Gentry 2 Seater Sofa: Moroso
4. Fjord Stool 017: Moroso
5. Come As You Are Bar Cart: Dante Goods and Bads
6. Wirering Wall Light: Flos
Kitchen
1. Fjord Counter Stool: Moroso
Dining Nook
1. Lek Sofa Custom Size: Christophe Delcourt
2. Mangiarotti M All Marble Table: Agape Casa
3. Beetle Chair: Gubi
4. 73.1M Semi Swag Pendant: Bocci
Living Room
1. Spectrum Rug: Jan Kath
2. ODA Big Floor Lamp: Pulpo
3. Pli Low Side Table: Classicon
4. Bohemian Swivel Armchair: Moroso
5. Lighthouse Table Lamp: Established and Sons
6. 194 85 Coffee Table: Cassina
7. 194 3 Coffee Table: Cassina
8. M.A.S.S.A.S Sofa: Moroso
9. FLO Lounge Floor Lamp: Lumina
10. On my Mind Table Lamp: Michael Anastassiades
11. Tekla Trace Blanket: John Pawson
Primary Bedroom
1. Kirman Robson Raved Rug: Jan Kath
2. Husk King Size Bed: B&B Italia
3. Traccia Table: Cassina
4. White Porcelain TS1 Light: Michael Anastassiades
5. Magique Side Table: Fiam
6. DS150 Wall Mounted Sconce: Michael Anastassiades
Dressing Room
1. Sake Sofa Bed: B&B Italia
2. Light o Light A: Parachilna
Art Entry
1. “Elapse” 流逝
2. 15/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
Media Room
1. “Big House” 大宅
2. 36/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
“The Judgement of Paris”
1. Limited Edition Screen Print: Salvador Dali
“Violin Musician”
1. Limited Edition Print: Artist Unknown, Purchased from gallery in Geneva, Switzerland
“Musician”
1. Limited Edition Print: Artist Unknown, Purchased from gallery in Geneva, Switzerland
Dining Nook
1. “A Net (Metropolis)” 网 (都市)
2. 49/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
Living Room
1. “Circus Suite”
2. Limited Edition Digital Print: Marc Chagall
“Distant Mountain”
1. Original Gold Leaf Painting: Yi Qing 青
Hallway
“Clear” 澈
1. Oil Painting: Tao Dongdong 陶冬冬
“Moon Line Sun”
1. 11/30 Screen Print: Purchased at Vancouver Art Gallery
Dressing Room
“Marilyn Monroe Reading”
1. Photograph Print: Ed Feingersh
“Balloon Over Bagan”
1. Photograph Print: Chad Falkenberg
“Acute Angle Wind” 锐 角 的 风
1. Limited Edition Screen Print: Tao Dongdong
“Panda” 熊猫
1. 24/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
“Fly All the Swallows Before the Hall”
1. 25/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
“Jian Louqu” 建楼曲
1. 26/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
Primary Bedroom
“Fere” 伴侣
1. 10/99 Limited Edition Screen Print: Wu Guanzhong
“Summer”
1. Original Chinese Ink Painting: Zhang Mu 丈木
