The Lefebvre-Smyth Residence in British Columbia Minimizes Footprint but Maximizes Sustainability

On a steep sloping site in Kaleden, British Columbia a single-family home designed by <a href="http://www.ceiarchitecture.com/">CEI Architecture</a> sits high above the west bank of Skaha Lake. To say that this home, the <a href="http://www.ceiarchitecture.com/project/lefebvre-smyth-residence/">Lefebvre-Smyth Residence</a>, was designed to minimize the building’s footprint and maximize its respect of the natural surroundings is putting it lightly. The home is perched on a hillside overlooking a gorgeous landscape near Kelowna, British Columbia, and the design of the residence compliments its surroundings.

Inspired by the site’s 300-degree view and given a freedom to create an environment motivated vernacular for the home, CEI Architecture formed a custom-designed residence that responded to the site through many sustainable methods.

Bevanda and his team also responded to the site through passive solar strategies, which helped to maximize the daylight and solar gain to make the building more comfortable and energy efficient.

The main solution to the steep site was through minimizing the building footprint and employing a cantilevered structure to extend the living space over a gorge on the property.

The entrance of the building splits the service wing from the living space and this can be seen in the separation of the two main roof forms.

This wood is brilliantly juxtaposed to the standing-seam metal siding which wraps from the roof down one side of each wing of the home.

The idea of minimizing the impact on the site also extended to storm water management strategies and water efficient landscaping

The interior is very minimalist but elegant. This allows for the users to focus on the natural beauty surrounding the home.

The building was constructed from regional materials giving the building a sense of local identity. Glue-laminated beams and wood can be seen from almost any angle of the home.

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