This modern mountainside sanctuary in Canada is 'surrounded by the forest on all sides'

For most builders, a steep, forested block with an incline of over 45 degrees would be a non-starter. But for Canadian architects Hassell/Griblin, such a landscape presented a unique and intriguing challenge back in 1974 when they were tasked with designing The Treehouse.

The result was a serene, mountainside sanctuary, hugging the terrain in the village of Lions Bay, about 13 kilometres from West Vancouver.

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Spread across four levels, the mid-century-style house boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a captivating interplay of light, structure and nature.

The home fuses indoor and outdoor living, with expansive windows framing lush greenery and distant glimpses of the beautiful Howe Sound.

Current owners Jason and Aileen Vantomme have predominantly preserved the home as it was originally designed, complementing it with a modern extension in 2019.

They worked with D’Arcy Jones Architects for a thoughtful expansion incorporating a 65-square-metre studio, which not only provided studio space for the couple’s ceramics work, but also facilitated better accessibility and several flat spaces on the site’s dramatic slope for their young children.   

And now, with the family on the move, the iconic home is on the market.

While The Treehouse’s footprint is on the smaller side, the use of height, expanses of windows, and an uncomplicated interior make it feel much larger.

The lower floor hosts a family room (with a fireplace) and a bathroom, while upstairs an open-plan kitchen and dining area sits alongside two bedrooms.

Upstairs again, you’ll find the main living room with another fireplace, plus the main bedroom (with an en suite) and a study.

The studio addition also includes a bedroom, and the home lives up to its name with decks across every level.

The house is cedar-clad both inside and out, further reflecting the surrounding forest. And every room has a different view of trees: huge trunks from the lower level, the canopy from the lounge, and a slope of ferns from the main bedroom.

“Without a doubt, the most essential feature of the house is its embrace of the surrounding forest, a feature that ends up another member of the family,” Jason says.

“The Treehouse’s most notable characteristic is its embrace of the idea that there needn’t be such a firm distinction between inside and outside.

“One only needs to stand in the dining area to realise that, while inside, one is surrounded by the forest on all sides.”

The seasons are viscerally felt in the house, Aileen adds. “The dark and light of winter and summer, the rain and snow on the glass roof and a seasonal rotation of wildlife in the trees and on the slope.

“Watching young children experience those changes so intimately is a rare treat. When you are inside, you are also outside.”

Agent Trent Rodney from West Coast Modern says this is a home that truly stands out, beautifully merging the historic with the new to create a seamless dialogue between eras.

“It dramatically blends modern architecture with the natural environment, capturing the hearts of design lovers in Vancouver,” he says.

“I’m often approached by people on the streets who are excited to discover such a design in their city. It’s almost famous.

“This property is one of the finest examples of ‘earthy modern’ style, which is celebrated along the west coast, particularly in California.

“It’s quite rare in Vancouver, and it perfectly embodies our region’s profound connection with its beautiful natural surroundings.”

For those seeking an active lifestyle intertwined with breathtaking natural beauty, The Treehouse offers an enticing offering.

It’s about a 30-minute drive from the Vancouver CBD, while the village of Lions Bay sits on the shores of Howe Sound, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

You also have some of the region’s most dramatic hikes on your doorstep, popular scuba-diving location Porteau Cove is 10 minutes away, Canada’s rock-climbing capital Squamish is 30 minutes’ drive away, and world-class skiing at Whistler is only an hour away.

“If you are a skier, hiker, rock climber, diver or boating enthusiast, there are few places in Canada where you can do all of those activities in one day, and possibly on any day of the year,” Vantomme says.