Pacific Northwest Regional Architecture

…and suddenly, it became a trend. I’m seeing more and more of this style being built all the time now. I really hope we’re looking at the beginning of a major new trend in house design.

This is a house being built in a cul-de-sac off of Wallace Drive, close to Brentwood Bay, near Victoria, BC.

Seattle architects Balance Associates have done some great work.  Here’s some examples:

This used to be a 1970s cabin in Tofino, BC, until a few years ago, when the owners started working with Zebra Design and Coastal Construction on a major renovation.

The updated west coast architecture and construction is so well done that it’s nominated for a CARE Award

The Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre is being built in Whistler, BC, and when finished will serve as a centre for education, promotion, and celebration of the region’s Aboriginal culture.

Designed by Alfred Waugh Architect

It’s about time Whistler got some more iconic West Coast Architecture.  I look forward to visiting this building when it’s completed.

Tanglewood Beach Homes is a development in Parksville, BC

Designed by Helliwell & Smith

This is a photo looking north down Main Street in Vancouver, BC from the year 1889 (that’s 118 years ago for those of you too lazy to do the math)

Although the small wood house with a shed roof is a little plain, you can see how today’s houses and buildings are just the evolution of an architectural style with a long history in the Pacific Northwest.

This house was featured in the September issue of BC Business Magazine as part of an article about development in Ucluelet, BC.

The photographer is Nik West

The Cactus Club Cafe in Coquitlam, BC, has an outdoor area that is covered by an excellent post and beam roof.

Most of the solar panels I’ve seen on people’s houses are big bulky things that look very out of place on top of their roof.  I recently came across this company that produces roofing tiles called Sunslates that are also solar panels.  Looks much better.

TQ Construction in Vancouver did this excellent renovation a few years ago.

Here’s what it looked like before:

…and here’s what it looks like now:

I think this project is still in the planning stages, but it looks great. Another excellent example of modern West coast architecture for Tofino, BC.

Designed by Eleven Eleven Architects

Robert Oshatz has done some amazing work, mostly around Portland, Oregon.

Some great examples of what can be done with modern wood architecture.