Crescent Beach Residence

Initially a simple front yard renovation in 2017, this project has evolved into Donohoe’s grandest and most comprehensive to date. The centrepiece of this complete landscape reconstruction is the custom cantilevered platform that extends over lush green walls to immerse the viewer in the magnificent scenery across Crescent Beach. The structure is robustly built, yet profiled at only six inches thick it gracefully sits on the waving perennial bed as if floating over the ground below. Additional to the landscape renovation is extensive upgrades to the exterior of the house to create a cohesive flow of the architecture with the current design.

A complete renovation of the front property was undertaken, incorporating the driveway, fences and gates, the boulevard and all planting - introducing an abundance of seasonal colour, groves of cherry trees, and a river of undulating perennials.

The entire design focused on maximizing the sweeping views out to Boundary Bay and incorporating the extreme grades at the rear of the property.

Blackened stainless steel staircases, a tree grate, and a bridge were fabricated off-site and craned into place. The embedded polycarbonate forms emulate the architecture in a gradient pattern, and gracefully float over the Bridget Riley ('Painting with Two Verticals') inspired perennial planting bed.

Helical piles pinned to the bedrock support 20"x20" concrete columns. Underneath, I-beams brace the massive steel structure fabricated off-site.

Born at Hazelmere Golf Course, the feature Scotch Pine tree was placed in the platform to anchor the stunning views.

To create a sustainable and robust solution to the significant grade change, MSE walls were laid and planted with shade-loving native woodland species such as sword and maidenhair ferns, oxalis, and strawberry.

Inspired by the iconic 'Blown Away Man' advertisement, the yellow cedar used for this bench was salvaged from a previously-felled tree in Haida Gwaii. The template was adjusted numerous times to become the perfect fit for the client, then fabricated with a CNC milling machine.