O’Sullivan/Donaldson House, 1980

• Constructed 1980
• Location Lions Bay, BC
• Architect Peter Cardew
• Use Dwelling

O’Sullivan-Donaldson House, completed in 1980 by Canadian architect Peter Cardew, is located in a hillside community near Vancouver known for its dramatic views of Howe Sound. Built on a steep and flood-prone site, the home is elevated on steel columns, allowing the natural landscape to remain mostly untouched. A bridge from the street provides access, slicing through the home’s interior and ending at a fully glassed western wall, which offers expansive ocean views. To ensure privacy, windows on the street-facing and side walls are minimized, while rooms are oriented westward to maximize the uninterrupted views. Commissioned by two working professionals who wanted extra space for work and guests, the design pushes beyond a conventional layout by incorporating two dens and guest accommodation. The structure combines a wooden frame with a visually distinct skin that separates from the steel columns, giving the house a layered, transparent quality that blends with its surroundings.