Modern custom home with white metal exterior and floor-to-ceiling windows in a forested landscape

Piano House

Perched above Howe Sound, Piano House is a sculptural response to a complex landscape, harmonizing masterful design with performance and craftsmanship. The home’s namesake is derived from its curved metal-clad upper volume, which follows the natural bend of the street like the sweep of a grand piano, artfully blending architectural beauty with privacy.
  • Location

    West Vancouver, BC

  • Scope

    General Contractor

  • Completion

    2024

  • Size

    5,450 sq ft

  • Performance

    BC Step Code 5, Energuide 59 GJ/yr, Enrolled for BuiltGreen Platinum, Airtightness of 0.4 ACH @50 Pa

Contemporary custom home under construction with cantilevered upper floor and concrete base Contemporary custom home under construction with large overhang and concrete retaining wall Modern cantilevered custom home with white metal cladding and concrete base surrounded by tall forest trees at dusk Contemporary custom hillside home with white cantilevered upper level overlooking the ocean and forest landscape Modern custom home with white cantilevered upper level detail and landscaped concrete terrace overlooking the ocean Contemporary hillside home with large glass facade, balcony, and outdoor pool surrounded by forest trees Ocean view from modern custom home terrace surrounded by mature trees and coastal landscape Modern dining area with large sliding glass doors opening to outdoor terrace and ocean view Minimalist modern kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry, wood island, and large windows Contemporary kitchen with white cabinets, integrated appliances, and minimalist lighting design Minimalist bedroom with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking ocean and forest landscape Contemporary custom home exterior at dusk with curved white cladding and forest setting overlooking the ocean
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About the Home

Designed for an active family transitioning from abroad, the residence was envisioned as a “low-maintenance sanctuary”. The build successfully reconciles the need for a private oasis with the site’s high-visibility location. The curved, piano-like façade of the home shields the living spaces from five neighbouring properties while unveiling expansive ocean views for the owners and preserving sight lines for the surrounding community.

Contemporary custom hillside home with curved white cladding, concrete terraces, garages, and forest setting

Quiet Luxury for an Active Lifestyle

The residence is a study in contrasts, balancing a bold contemporary presence with a secluded, retreat-like interior. Beyond the sculptural steel facade, the home unfolds into a series of light-washed volumes where wellness and social connection take center stage.

Modern dining area with large sliding glass doors opening to outdoor terrace and ocean view

Indoor-Outdoor Connection

Inside, the design language is one of quiet discipline. A muted, calm palette of white oak and architectural concrete creates a cohesive transition from the exterior’s strength to the interior’s serenity.

The south-facing great room serves as the home’s heart, dissolving seamlessly into an expansive deck that frames the rugged beauty of Howe Sound. Here, the boundaries between the interior and the coastal landscape are intentionally blurred, with an outdoor pool, hot tub, and fire pit positioned to capture the shifting light of the West Coast.

Team

Contemporary kitchen with white cabinets, integrated appliances, and minimalist lighting design

The Details

This sense of visual order is reinforced through meticulous modern detailing:

Architectural steel screens and slatted guardrails introduce a rhythmic play of light and shadow, while floating vanities and recessed fixtures allow the interior to remain uncluttered and polished.

Every element, from the cocktail-integrated wine room to the cedar-framed wellness suite, was selected to support the clients’ desire for an elegant, low-maintenance sanctuary that prioritises simplicity and ease of ownership.

Precise Execution with Clarity and Intent

The construction required intense technical problem-solving and digital precision to navigate a “rock-heavy” and geometrically complex site.

 

Virtual Coordination 

As the clients lived abroad during construction, virtual collaboration was paramount. Naikoon utilised Virtual Design and Construction (VDC/BIM) to model the home’s complex curves and mechanical systems in 3D. This allowed for extreme transparency between Naikoon, the clients, and our partners; and ensured that the intricate architectural screening and structural steel were executed with precision to the millimetre for a home that feels as good as it looks.

Taming the Bedrock

To create the dramatic walk-out basement, the team executed precision blasting through solid stepped bedrock. When blasting limitations arose mid-build, we pivoted to targeted rock chipping and redesigning the pool mechanical room – all without delaying the schedule – to fit the site’s natural constraints without compromising the design.

 

Concrete foundation walls anchored into exposed bedrock during hillside custom home construction

High Performance, Low Maintenance

Piano House is a “performance masterpiece,” pushing the boundaries of residential efficiency. While the initial target was a 1.0 ACH airtightness rating, the finished home achieved a remarkable 0.4 ACH @ 50 Pa—making it Net-Zero ready.

Detail of contemporary custom home exterior with white cladding, landscaped concrete planter, and ocean view

BC Step Code: Achieved Step Code 5 (Net Zero Ready)

Airtightness: 0.4 ACH @ 50 Pa (As-built)

Windows: High-performance European triple-glazed systems, ensuring “draft-free” thermal comfort

Mechanical: Energy-efficient heat pump with drain-water heat recovery and low-voltage automation managing shading and climate

Envelope: Insulated suspended concrete slab and low-maintenance coastal-grade metal cladding

Landscape: Used permeable pavers in the driveway to solve stormwater management naturally, avoid invasive tank installations, honouring the site’s ecology

Awards

Press

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