Over the past fifteen years, custom homes have become an increasingly important part of Teryl Mullock’s architectural practice in Gibsons. The three homes featured on these pages form part of Teryl’s ongoing exploration of ideas about our deep-rooted physical and psychological needs for shelter, moving toward the very essence of architecture.
These homes are designed first and foremost in response to the specifics of the site, integrating each unique home into the landscape. Environmental responsiveness informs all of the designs, making living spaces bright and cheerful, harnessing solar energy, incorporating natural ventilation and cooling strategies, gathering rainwater for use in water features and irrigation, and considering needs for privacy and sound control.
A small house on North Road (opposite page) forms the boundary between a forest glade and a nearby road, creating a strong contrast between the inside, which belongs to the forest, and the outside, which reinforces a sense of enclosure. Rainwater is gathered into a two-level pond, and floor-to-ceiling windows invite reflected sunlight to dance on the ceiling. The generous roof canopy above the patio features a large circular skylight and is supported by a cedar post harvested from the adjacent forest (and hand peeled by the owner!). A curved canopy links the garden pavilion and shelters a small courtyard. Details are simplified and refined to give a sense of calm.
The Shoal Lookout House (this page) is situated on a dramatic rocky perch with 190-degree wrap-around views. The natural rock has a striking angular geometry with sloping flat planes that create a dynamic tension, inviting a bold response. To the east the house turns and leans out toward the view and optimizes a severely restricted space. Rainwater is gathered into a rain garden, then diverted to a recycled septic tank for irrigation. The upper floor is loft-like, open to views on three sides. With quiet details that give subtle expression to the wood structure, the house also has a strong green focus and has recently been awarded LEED gold.
In this house in Hopkins Landing, the west wall forms a solid barrier against a nearby road to protect against traffic noise. By contrast, the east side opens up to panoramic ocean views beneath a large sheltering roof that echoes the form of distant islands.
Visit www.mullock.ca or call 604.886.3204 to see more of Teryl Mullock’s architectural projects on the Sunshine Coast.
Photos by IS Photography
