7 Homes with Extraordinary Exteriors

From a modern stone-clad farm house to a classic Craftsman, we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful home exteriors in Western Canada for your viewing pleasure. Which one do you think makes the greatest first impression?

Art Attack

The team at Alloy Homes and Croma Design were asked to create a “functional work of art”, and most definitely hit the design brief. Wrapped in low-maintenance materials that weather gently and enhance in character over time, the home brings a uniquely modernist vibe to Calgary’s River’s Edge neighbourhood without disrupting the area’s natural beauty. Get more design lessons from this dream home.

Generational Gap

This infill house in Vancouver is sandwiched between two homes from very different eras—the one to the left is from the 1900s and the one to the right is from the 1980s. To bridge the architectural divide, D’Arcy Jones took a cue from both time periods. Contemporary concrete steps lead into the charcoal-coloured residence, which also boasts traditional bay windows and old school shingles. Step inside this 2,600-square-foot beauty that feels both of-the-moment and timeless.

Family Matters

Yes, the above photos are of the same house. Architect Marianne Amodio was tasked with transforming a Vancouver heritage home into a legacy project for owner Mira Malatestinic’s extended family; it would include the main house and an infill building complete with multiple suites and an art studio.

The finished project celebrates both the history of the Strathcona neighbourhood and the direction of today’s architecture, underlining how thoughtful design can create smart solutions to density. See the before and after renovation photos.

Barn House

Gateway Architecture, The Creative Design Works and Paul Sangha Creative also know how to mix and match styles! While the exterior of this home features pitched roofs and large stone cladding, the interior has a more modern style. They wanted to pay homage to the home’s rural setting in Vancouver’s Southlands neighbourhood while at the same time making it feel fresh. The result? An aesthetic affectionately dubbed Tom Ford in the Country. Check out the rest of this idyllic property.

Rock Solid

Building this 3,400-square-foot Whistler home wasn’t easy. Shelter Residential Design and Twin Peaks Engineering were challenged by a 35-foot slope, tricky zoning lessons and budgetary constraints.

And yet, they managed to pull it off with some serious flair. Using prefab panels by B.C. Passive House, the entire structure was assembled in just a week and a half. ”It’s like it’s on a concrete pedestal,” says designer Mark Simone of the three-storey volume, which is plunked right into the rock. Tour this stunning Whistler residence that embraces nature at every turn.

Cover Story

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, nor a home by its facade—and this Vancouver abode is the perfect example. With wide eaves, a generous porch and a low-pitched roof, the outside has classic Craftsman appeal. Inside, however, you’ll find a minimalist, highly personalized retreat. Explore this reimagined heritage home by the team at Falken Reynolds.

Cliff Hanger

The design of this Bowen Island home looks deceptively simple. After all, it’s just two boxes overlapping perpendicularly… isn’t it? In theory, yes, but “the simplest designs are often the most complicated,” says architect Genevieve Poirier.

She and the team at STARK Architecture & Interiors, were faced with a steep, “unbuildable” site that left them with just one option. “The only way to build something on this piece of land would be to cantilever it off,” she adds. Find out how they pulled off this impressive feat.