British Columbia Modern Homes - Maurer House - Naramata Canada
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Address: 2843 Arawana Place
City: Naramata
State: n/a
Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Floors: 1
Year Built: 2004
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Square Feet: 1880
Lot Size: .47 Acres
Annual Property Tax: 1,900
Status: Active
Price: $940,000
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Full Description:
Since it was built in 2004 the house received 4 major Canadian architectural awards, among them a Governor General’s Medal for Architecture (2006). This is how it was described in “Architecture Canada 2006”:
“Minimal site disturbance, restraint in building volume, elegant transparency, allow the South Okanagan landscape to assert itself. The design responds directly and simply to the local climate and demonstrates rigorous unity of structure and finish, of form and content. In its airy elegance and mature use of technology and resources it makes an important ecological and artistic statement. The project's convincing economies offer a valuable contribution to promote environmental sustainability, commonsense and restraint. In a context dominated by generic, often overbuilt houses, the building is a visible alternative and incentive for discussion.”
It has been published widely nationally and internationally.
Context
Canada’s South Okanagan region is the northern end of the Sonoran Desert, extending up from Mexico. The house lies in an area of vineyards, orchards and splendid lake views enjoying the best climate to be had anywhere in Canada. On a western slope overlooking Okanagan Lake it receives the last rays of the setting sun and is the scene of spectacular sunsets.
Roman Concept
The concept challenges tradition in many ways: instead of a single house in the centre of the site, 4 separate buildings wrap themselves around a central garden, creating privacy and controlled views. Instead of forcing the land to suit preconceived ideas, existing pines, bedrock, and slopes determined the design, offering shade, mature landscaping, and intimate outdoor spaces. The outdoors are not "space left over", but are the main point: a rural interpretation of the Roman courtyard. It reflects the owners' lifestyles, priorities of conservation and ecological conscience.
Views
The main house straddles the bedrock ridge and offers a wide choice of moods viewed through its glazed walls: the dramatic panorama of Okanagan Lake to the West, the tranquillity of the sheltered garden to the East, an intimate plaza framed by bedrock to the south. When the setting sun strikes them the fasteners of the metal cladding sparkle like snow crystals.
Sustainability
No blasting, logging, site remodelling took place. Native plants were preserved, lawn was avoided, existing trees offer shade, instant mature landscaping, and stabilize slopes. The buildings look like they have always been there, they flow with the land. Roof overhangs, building placement and trees shade the house in summer while allowing it in for for solar heat gain during winter. With the afternoon lake breeze blowing through the opened house it makes air conditioning unnecessary. The buildings flow with the land.
Simplicity and Art
The Modern period is now 80 years old and has become a tradition. This house reminds us that Modernity is a philosophy, not a style: It is the style of no-style, the believe in democratic values, modesty, directness, abstinence from fluff and symbols. It says that Art is about creation, not acquisition. It argues the value of rigorous unity of structure and finish, of form and content. It pleads economy, sustainability, soundness, and function. In its light and sketchy elegance and mature use of technology and resources this house makes an important and timely statement.
Offered at US $940,000 / CAN $1,000,000
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Contact Information:
Andrew Hasman
RE/MAX Andrew Hasman
Suite 410 – North Office Tower
Oakridge Centre
650 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver BC V5Z 2M9
ahasman@shaw.ca
Office: 604.263.2823
Cell: 604 657.7936
TF: 1.888.840.2823
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