and the angles of the two structures’ roofs are identical. “Because the new house mimics and borrows from the old cabin,” Jones says, “the cabin itself has an authority and presence it never had before.” Hornbyites make a collective effort to recycle and to use local materials and manpower— instead of buying something new, for instance, they might barter with the neighbors. So it’s fitting that Karen and Dick met their builder, Ian Maclean, years before the project started when they traded him a kayak for a set of sliding glass doors (which Jones later incorporated into the design of the new house). In addition to building their home, Maclean turned trees that were removed during construction into the house’s ceiling and soffit boards, as well as the benches used inside and out. Although the structure, at 1,200 square feet, is smaller than the Victoria condo they once called home, the Browns say it feels surprisingly large, thanks in part to all its streamlined built-in cabinetry (which makes lots of freestanding furniture unnecessary) and the custom clerestory and picture windows that bring in light and reveal the natural surroundings. Jones’s thoughtful design work extended beyond the architecture: he also shaped the surrounding landscape, dotted with white birches and sculptures commissioned from local artists. “Nothing feels missed,” says Karen of the holistic design. Due to almost daily communication and the uncommon bond among the architect, builder, and clients, the project achieved what most don’t—homeowners who reveled in every minute of the 18-month-long design-build process. They became so friendly with Jones that they invited him to bring his family to visit the house for a week while they were out of town. It was the first time he’d ever stayed in one of his own designs. But perhaps it wasn’t surprising—hospitality is also part of the Hornby Way. h
TOP LEFT: Choosing minimalist furnishings to match their streamlined aesthetic, the homeowners combine modern classics, such as the Cherner chairs purchased from Gabriel Ross, with locally designed pieces such as the reclaimed-wood dining room table and bent-spruce pendant light from West Coast Eco Home in Victoria. BOTTOM LEFT: The bedrooms offer a private view of the wilderness.
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GRAY ISSUE No. TWENTY-THREE