Cover The street view shows the Vancouver house integration into the established Dunbar neighbourhood, with mature trees providing natural context for the cedar and metal exterior materials
The street view shows the Vancouver house integration into the established Dunbar neighbourhood, with mature trees providing natural context for the cedar and metal exterior materials
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BLA Design Group integrates traditional Chinese elements with contemporary architecture in this 4,100-sq-ft Vancouver house
In Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood, next to the expansive Pacific Spirit Regional Park, a Chinese-Canadian family commissioned a Vancouver house that mixes West Coast modernism with traditional Chinese elements. The Feng House, completed in 2022 by BLA Design Group, occupies a corner lot in this family-oriented area and is home to a family originally from Hangzhou Province, comprising two daughters and a cat.
Above The completed house demonstrates BLA Design Group’s successful integration of West Coast modern architecture with traditional Chinese design elements, creating what Jerry Liu describes as “a modern fusion of East and West”
Above Dense landscaping frames views of the metal-clad portions of the house, demonstrating how the building materials respond to Vancouver’s rainy climate while integrating with the natural surroundings
The completed house demonstrates BLA Design Group’s successful integration of West Coast modern architecture with traditional Chinese design elements, creating what Jerry Liu describes as “a modern fusion of East and West”
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The 4,100-square-foot Vancouver house responds to Vancouver’s rain with standing seam metal cladding that extends beyond the building’s walls for extra protection.
Cedar siding covers the front and rear facades, matching the surrounding forest colours.
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The house sits among mature trees in the Dunbar neighbourhood, with the naturally stained cedar siding blending with the surrounding forest while the standing seam metal roof provides weather protection
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Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran of BLA Design Group collaborated with clients who sought to connect their Chinese heritage with their life in Canada through a Vancouver house.
The front entrance uses slatted wood panels with a topographic sculpture of Hangzhou embedded within them. These panels reference the traditional Chinese “ping feng” room divider, filtering light while maintaining sight lines.
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The Feng House sits on a corner lot in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood, its standing seam metal cladding providing durable protection against the Pacific Northwest's frequent rain
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The main level connects living, dining, and kitchen areas through large sliding glass doors that open to the rear patio.
Wood slatted walls divide spaces without blocking light or views, while the furniture and decorative pieces came from China.
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Above A mudroom area showcases the slatted wood panels that appear throughout the house, providing practical storage while maintaining the visual connection to traditional Chinese design elements
Above The central staircase features wood treads and a slatted wood screen wall that allows natural light to filter between levels while providing visual separation—a contemporary interpretation of traditional Chinese spatial divisio
A mudroom area showcases the slatted wood panels that appear throughout the house, providing practical storage while maintaining the visual connection to traditional Chinese design elements
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Materials include browns, beiges, and greys chosen to match Vancouver’s weather and nearby forest.
Liu describes the approach as “West Coast modern style using materials and forms that relate to the Pacific Northwest," while Basran notes that “the family’s culture and roots are expressed through furniture, interior details, colour and tone."
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The main living area demonstrates the open floor plan with strategic areas for refuge, featuring the Cosy Sofa by MDF and Minotti Torii Coffee Table as specified in the furniture sourcing
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The design process involved close collaboration between architects and clients. Basran says that "significant time was spent collaborating with the client on each aspect,” including sourcing furniture from multiple countries. The architects handled architecture, interior design, and furnishing selection.
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The open kitchen and dining area show how large sliding glass doors create connectivity between interior and exterior spaces, fundamental to West Coast living principles, while accommodating the family’s needs
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Four bedrooms are spread across three levels, with the main living spaces arranged in an open-plan layout.
The architects included what they call “strategic areas for refuge" within the larger open spaces.
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Above A quiet seating area showcases furniture sourced from China, including traditional-style chairs positioned against the wood slatted walls that create intimate spaces within the larger open plan
A quiet seating area showcases furniture sourced from China, including traditional-style chairs positioned against the wood slatted walls that create intimate spaces within the larger open plan
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A large gable extends over the main level, forming a cantilevered cover for the recessed entry patio.
This roof form provides weather protection while referencing both contemporary and traditional architectural elements.
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A bedroom incorporates built-in storage and a window seat that maximises both function and natural light, demonstrating the careful space planning throughout the home's 4,100 square feet
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For this family, which includes one daughter studying architecture, this Vancouver house serves as both a home and a connection to Chinese heritage.
The design combines Canadian requirements with Chinese elements without abandoning either approach.
The primary bathroom's double vanity design incorporates both practical storage and the geometric precision characteristic of contemporary design, with custom wood cabinetry and integrated lighting
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Liu says, “As cultures influence each other, different architectural styles merge, creating new ideas and trends of modern living.”
This Vancouver house exemplifies how contemporary design can incorporate multiple cultural references while meeting the practical needs of a family living in Vancouver’s climate and context.
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Photography: Ema Peter Photography
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
