A stunning Japanese-inspired villa on Vancouver Island showcases the perfect harmony between minimalist architecture and natural landscape design. The 10,000-square-foot residence, known as Garden House, demonstrates how contemporary West Coast style can seamlessly blend with traditional Japanese principles to create a tranquil waterfront retreat in British Columbia's Saanich Inlet forest.
The single-story main residence spans 929 square meters and includes a master suite and guest bedroom, accompanied by two additional structures: an outbuilding and a small service building. The home's gently curved form follows the natural contours of the land, creating a sequence of interconnected interior spaces that effortlessly open to the outdoors. Glass walls replace traditional barriers, patios double as living rooms, and the surrounding forest invites itself indoors without transition.
This remarkable project represents perfect teamwork among multiple professionals over seven years. Openspace Architecture handled the architectural design, Paul Sangha Creative managed landscape architecture, and M Knight Construction oversaw the building process. Interior design was completed by Kristen Totah of Studio K Kitchens, with photography by Ema Peter.
"The house is designed in the contemporary West Coast style, which emphasizes a strong connection to nature through clean lines, natural materials, and open floor plans," explains Don Gurney, director of Openspace Architecture. "Influenced by Japanese architecture, it features deep gutters, low-pitched roofs, and timber construction. We wanted to create a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere, so we focused on simplicity, balance, and fluidity."
The Japanese influences are evident throughout the design. Traditional tatami proportions guided the layout of the structure, window grids, and floor patterns throughout the house, while the surrounding landscape inspired the tones and textures of materials. Red cedar covers the cladding, ceilings, and structural elements, while Café Canal sandstone provides natural stone accents and large natural limestone slabs cover the floors.
The garden design also draws from Eastern principles, integrated within a typically coastal context. The approach features a sober palette of wood and stone in various forms, combined with a mixture of sculptural and free-form plants. The art-loving owners, who are passionate collectors, influenced the garden's layout and design, creating natural frames where sculptures integrate seamlessly into the landscape.
The planting approach varies by garden zone, creating distinct experiences throughout the property. The Woodland Drive features a canopy of mature trees with shade-loving species covering the forest floor and path edges. "Closer to the residence, the garden takes on a more formal character, with vast expanses of ferns, grasses, and other perennial herbaceous plants that bring texture and variety in shades of green," explains Mohit Srivastava, senior landscape architect at Paul Sangha Creative.
At the entrance, three sculptural Trochodendron trees are placed within a water feature, creating an impressive focal point. Along the coastal edges, a mixture of territory-adapted native plants merges the cultivated garden with natural plant communities. The exterior landscape transitions through seasons from meditative calm to moments of surprise and revelation, where light, shadow, and seasonal changes create a dynamic and constantly evolving backdrop.
The koi pond represents a true masterpiece of liquid design elements. "It's designed with a minimum depth of just over one meter and a 60-centimeter ledge to support aquatic vegetation," Srivastava details. "A platform and bridge provide shelter for the fish, while frameless glass protection ensures safety without compromising the visual connection between the pond and surrounding landscape."
The homeowners played an active role in selecting each koi fish, making the pond as much a personal passion as a design element. Once completed, the pond was filled and left to rest for several months, allowing the water to condition naturally before introducing the koi. The carefully chosen materials were selected to age gracefully and reflect the craftsmanship of those who created them, reinforcing the sense of belonging to the natural environment.
Mike Knight, CEO of M Knight Construction, perfectly summarizes the project's significance: "The scale, beauty of design, and technical challenges to achieve the final result convinced me to work on this project. This house perfectly combines innovation, sustainability, and a deep connection with its surrounding environment." The seven-year process, from initial concept through permits to construction, resulted in a residence that cultivates calm and serenity through every design decision, from the house's orientation to the finest material details.
