Shore House, Perched on a steep, forested slope at the edge of Kootenay Lake, Shore House is a family home that responds to its challenging terrain with deep foundations and cantilevered floors projecting over the landscape.
© Addison Rickaby
Suspended among towering firs and cedars, the home offers a true “tree house” experience. Gently swaying tree trunks filter light from the shimmering waters beyond, creating a unique sensation of living high in the canopy. Shore House evokes the image of an osprey poised above the water.
© Addison Rickaby
The exterior of the home combines local materials and robust construction details to anchor the house in its dramatic setting while conveying a regional modern aesthetic. Douglas Fir glulam beams support the roof, with Western Red Cedar finishing the ceilings and soffits. Alaskan Yellow Cedar lines a footbridge to the main entrance and clads the sunscreens on the exterior decks.
© Addison Rickaby
Concrete (in the foundation and chimney) and steel (in cantilevered deck beams) express stability and strength on this steep and precarious site. The muted exterior colour palette blends seamlessly with the surroundings, allowing the house to complement rather than compete with its environment. Regional modernist influences are reflected in details like the “ganged” rain chains, inspired by a nearby hot springs’ unheralded modernist heritage.
© Addison Rickaby
At its core, Shore House is a family home. With a suite for visiting extended family and generous open-plan spaces, such as the kitchen-living-dining area and outdoor decks, Shore House accommodates large gatherings, but is equally inviting for quiet mornings, sipping coffee as the sun glistens on the lake. A gently rising roofline draws the living spaces toward floor-to-ceiling glazing and large sliding doors, extending the interior out onto the deck. A custom millwork kitchen and concrete fireplace anchor the heart of the home.
© Addison Rickaby
In the more private areas of Shore House, the bedrooms, bathrooms, and corridors are nestled among the treetops, each offering closely cropped views of the trees and lake. For owners passionate about basketball and mountain biking, the home includes a gym, a ‘gear garage,’ and a deep foundation, required by the site’s geotechnical challenges, that doubles as a spot for year-round hoops.
© Addison Rickaby
Shore House is defined by its regional architecture, solid construction, and geotechnical solutions. Above all, it is a family home that embraces the unique experience of living among the treetops, overlooking the shimmering waters of Kootenay Lake.
Project Info
Architects: Stanley Office of Architecture
Country: Canada, Nelson
Area: 570 m²
Year: 2025
Photographs: Addison Rickaby
Renderings And Graphics: Tobias Gray
Septic: Highland Consulting
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.