The Gallery
Added on by the current owners and bringing back on board Maurer as architect, this addition serves as a gallery space and a quiet retreat. Spacious yet private, it continues with the idea of erasing boundaries between inside and out. Floor-to-ceiling windows replace much of the wall space, creating the feeling of being immersed in the surrounding trees. With a stunning mirrored exterior, the gallery is lost in spell-binding reflections of the woods it is set in.
Secret Garden
Beyond the stunning architecture lies perhaps the most enchanting feature of this home, as living spaces weave themselves into the garden they lay veiled in. Follow winding paths that disappear to secret hideaways, where secluded nooks invite quiet moments and conversations, a hidden hot tub waits beneath a canopy of stars, and a banquet table lies set beneath the trees, ready to awaken at the sound of laughter for a moonlit evening shared with those who matter most.
Award‐Winning Architecture
Florian Maurer is a German-born, Canadian architect whose work is recognized for its clarity, restraint, and deep responsiveness to landscape and climate. Educated in Germany, Maurer established his architectural practice in Canada, working across diverse environments from the remote northern regions of the Yukon to the temperate interior of British Columbia. His design approach reflects a commitment to modernist principles, emphasizing strong spatial organization, material authenticity, and an enduring connection to site. Maurer’s architecture is characterized by a quiet elegance: buildings that are finely crafted, contextually grounded, and unafraid of simplicity.
His work often integrates passive environmental strategies, careful detailing, and a deep respect for the natural conditions of place. In 2006, Maurer received the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture, the highest distinction in Canadian architecture, awarded by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This national recognition underscores the significance of his contribution to contemporary Canadian design and affirms his reputation as a thoughtful and accomplished architect.
Governor General's Award Winner
This exceptional residence garnered one of Canada’s most prestigious honours — the Governor General’s Medals in Architecture, administered every two years by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) in cooperation with the Canada Council for the Arts.
The award celebrates outstanding built projects by Canadian licensed architects and recognizes design excellence, contextual sensitivity and architectural innovation across size, type and geography.
Designed by renowned architect Florian Maurer, this home stands as a signature work in his career — combining clear architectural concept, material honesty and a profound respect for site and setting. Maurer, who earned his architectural degree in Germany before relocating to Canada’s north and establishing his practice in Whitehorse, Yukon, in the early 1990s, has long explored building in challenging climates, remote contexts and sensitive landscapes.
With the Medal in hand, this residence not only reflects the visionary design principles of its creator but also the highest benchmarks of Canadian architectural achievement. For the homeowner, what that means is a house of enduring distinction — one that is recognized, documented and celebrated for its architecture rather than simply its function.
2843ArawanaPlace,Naramata,BC
2843ArawanaPlace,Naramata,BC