ROBIN
Area
117,000 sq ft
Address
Squamish, BC
Status
In progress
Project Overview
Phase II of this development focuses on establishing a unique residential community overlooking the Squamish Valley. The primary design strategy centers on building a relatively high-density pair of structures that blend into the natural context, ensuring the project functions as a place in nature rather than an intrusion upon it. By concentrating building mass on a natural promontory, the design leaves a significant portion of the site’s ecology undisturbed, preserving the surrounding forest and out cropping’s.
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A core component of the project’s design intent is the creation of a public-private interface, where private residences are situated along a growing network of trails designed for multi-generational use. This trail system integrates the development into the broader landscape, linking the residential units to the forest as well as the neighbourhood below.
The site is anchored by a central public plaza that serves as a destination and lookout point. This upper plaza is oriented specifically toward mountain views, positioned to overlook the forest canopy and provide a physical and social centre for the community. The architectural character is informed by the textures and verticality of the surrounding forest and stone, utilizing the natural terrain to dictate the building footprints and site orientation.
The building massing is designed to step back, particularly on west-facing elevations, to optimize solar exposure and views across the valley. This strategy allows for expansive private decks, which significantly enlarge the usable living space and integrate the interiors with the outdoor environment. By mediating the scale of these hillside structures through tiered forms, the design balances the requirement for increased density with the desire for a low-impact, nature-oriented residential experience.
