Dezeen Magazine

Scott & Scott updates Canadian mountain house interior using timber and marble

Canadian studio Scott & Scott has "brightened up" the interior of a mid-century property north of Vancouver, adding simple wooden surfaces, white-washed walls and a marble sink (+ slideshow).

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

Scott & Scott hoped to create a connection between the property and its setting – an area of forest at the base of Grouse Mountain – so chose to update the interiors using wood that will visibly change with wear.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

"The design was an edit of the house with a respect for the original details and its connection to the mature forested yard," architect David Scott told Dezeen.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

"The materials used were selected for their contrasting strengths, and minimally finished using traditional methods that are maintainable and acquire visible signs of use over time," he continued.

The walls of the living spaces were stripped and repaired, before being coated in a natural lime-based white wash. The pale Douglas fir beams were finished in white lye, while the wooden flooring and soffit were coated in a cloth-applied pigment oil.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

In the main living room, the original enclosed stair was replaced with an open staircase made from black steel and fir.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

Although there was little change made to the property's existing floor plan, plywood cabinet blocks were used to separate the living, kitchen and reception areas, while also providing concealed storage.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

In the kitchen, solid ash was used to create open-front storage to display the owners' collection of studio pottery.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

An 800-kilogram bespoke marble counter spans the length of the wall, and provides a sink and worktop space.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

"The marble counter monolith was milled from a block that we selected from the Hisnet Inlet quarry on Vancouver Island near our own alpine cabin," said Scott.

North Vancouver House by Scott & Scott

Scott and Scott was founded at the start of 2013 by husband and wife David and Susan Scott. Since then, the duo have also designed the interior of a pan-Asian restaurant in Vancouver and a currywurst restaurant featuring peg holes on the walls.