The project was a new 4500 sq ft home on 2.25 acre waterfront property on Salt Spring Island. The requirements of the project were to respond to the views, daylight, and the natural environment, employ environmental strategies, provide a variety of areas for family interactions, and to create a character of modernist minimalism with a calm, restorative ambiance.

Penner & Associates performed a colour analysis of the site, programming, space planning, design development, finish selection, production of working drawings and specifications, lighting and millwork design, and selection of furniture, including outdoor furniture and planters, fixtures, equipment, art and accessories.

The natural setting provided the inspiration for the concept. Stone flooring continues into the entry from the outside and view windows span from floor-to-ceiling, creating a seamless flow from exterior to interior. Douglas Fir columns allude to the trees outside. Varying degrees of visibility, translucency, transparency and reflection, inspired by the character of water, were expressed by using clear and back-lit acid-etched glass, and playing with light on matte and specular surfaces such as mosaic glass tile, acrylic resin, and mother-of-pearl and glass-embedded terrazzo.

Daylight makes the interior dynamic as light and shadow move through. The architecturally-integrated night lighting fills the space with energy-efficient fluorescent ambient and task lighting combined with a variety of halogen accent lighting to create moods and aesthetic effects.

In recognition of the limits of island resources, environmental strategies were employed. Extraordinary care was taken to enhance the indoor air quality.