On a steep, forested slope above Saanich Inlet in British Columbia, a new waterfront home called Layer House cantilevers toward the water in a design that prioritizes both accessibility and creative living. The property, completed by Woven Architecture and Design in collaboration with Phillip Van Horn Design, sits on Willis Point and spans 5,100 square feet across two levels, with a separate 1,300-square-foot accessory building connected by a bridge.
The owners — a visual artist and a craftsperson — wanted a home that balanced intimacy with openness. They bought the steep, sloping lot above a busy stretch of the inlet and asked the design team to create spaces for retreat, creativity, and connection, all while keeping accessibility front of mind.
Accessibility was a key requirement from the start.
Despite the property’s steep grade, the design team created a series of setting paths from the vehicle arrival point down to the foreshore.
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Arrival happens on the upper level, where the primary bedroom, living room, and dining area open onto wide views of the inlet. Expansive windows bring the forest and water into everyday life, while natural materials — local wood, concrete, and metal — anchor the building to its site.
A single sentence stands out: this is a home built for both rest and making.
Below the main living spaces, two guest rooms, an office, a gym, and a sauna open onto wraparound decks and an outdoor
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A bridge separates daily life from creative work
Across the bridge, the accessory building houses a studio above and a woodshop below. This separation allows creative work to happen independently from daily routines. The house is wrapped with decks and patios at each story, connecting occupants to the outdoors from every interior space.
Sustainable design built into the hillside
The main structure uses the earth’s stable thermal mass to improve energy efficiency and comfort. High-performance glazing, thermally broken doors, and well-insulated assemblies minimize heat loss while letting in natural light and passive solar gain. A rainwater harvesting system collects and filters roof runoff for irrigation and non-potable uses, cutting down on municipal water demand. The materials — locally sourced wood, concrete, and metal — were chosen for durability and low maintenance, meant to age gracefully in the coastal environment.
The way the home connects to the outdoors is particularly evident in the separation between the main residence and the artist’s studio, which allows work and life to be independent yet connected. It steps down the steep waterfront slope without feeling imposing.
