Shift House is located on a family-friendly street in the heart of Vancouver’s east side. As a member of a close-knit community, its massing of two distinct ridged elements reflects and respects the neighborhood’s common architectural silhouette while organically evolving from it to express a distinct and playful identity.
On the inside, wood framing is used to create a variety of living spaces. Exposing the structural joists and plywood in these areas provided a cost-effective solution for the final aesthetic.
To differentiate the spaces in various areas of the house, unique framing solutions were used. Above the kitchen, exposed NLT is suspended from exposed steel support brackets. Exposed timber collar ties penetrate the white finish in the master bedroom, creating an intimate space while retaining the high ceilings behind.
The roof encompasses a unique rain control system of internal gutters and downspouts. Structure and environmental control thus work in concert here – the design integrating framing and enclosure innovations. The net result is unusually clean lines on all elevations, exploiting the unique flexibility of wood-frame construction.
Credits: Measured Architecture