Osler House by Scott & Scott Architects
Osler House gently occupies its site on Vancouver’s west side – a rare mid-century bungalow that has weathered the decades. Originally designed in 1952 by Canadian architect Ron Thom and now thoughtfully renewed by Scott & Scott Architects, it is less a transformation and more of a nuanced exploration of continuity, in careful dialogue with the past.
Maintaining the original scale of the home, Scott & Scott Architects undertook a comprehensive and pragmatic renovation to address seismic, structural and thermal performance. This approach respectfully preserves the existing architectural character, allowing new interventions to sit comfortably within the established fabric.
The split-level layout – defined by staggered, cedar-clad roof planes – continues to shape the experience, creating a series of sheltered interior spaces. A substantial concrete brick hearth shields the living area from the street, while clerestory windows and expansive terrace glazing draw in abundant southern light, reinforcing the connection to the garden. The addition of a new southern terrace, swimming pool and pool house extends the living space outdoors, enhancing amenity and deepening its relationship with the landscape.
Materiality is key to the project’s quiet confidence. The design team looked to the original palette – cedar, fir and concrete brick – using these as touchstones throughout the renovation. Archival research and a commitment to local materials and craftmanship informed every decision; deteriorating Douglas fir windows were replaced with locally fabricated frames, and living room glazing was reconfigured to allow for larger multi-panel openings onto the terrace and pool. Inside, walls are finished in painted burlap plasterboard, providing a soft, textured backdrop for an extensive art collection while serving as a point of visual interest in its own right. End-grain Douglas fir flooring defines the upper levels, while brick tiles on the main and lower floors flow seamlessly onto the new terrace, reinforcing that sense of continuity between inside and out.
Interventions by Scott & Scott Architects’ are attuned to the home’s origins, demonstrating the value of a careful, research-driven approach.
A key intervention is the extension of the living room hearth, now forming a nook anchored by a concrete sofa that appears to float. Outside, a second concrete sofa creates an evening seating area between the pool house and main residence. Similarly detailed benches mark key thresholds throughout the site, including along the poolside edge.
The reworking of Osler House is marked by restraint and clarity. Interventions by Scott & Scott Architects’ are attuned to the home’s origins, demonstrating the value of a careful, research-driven approach. The project achieves a thoughtful balance: preserving the spirit of Thom’s original design while presenting a quietly compelling case for the ongoing evolution of residential heritage.
Architecture by Scott & Scott Architects. Build by Nestworks Construction. Landscape design by Trillium Landscaping. Appliances by Miele. Artwork by Graham Gillmore, Jeremy Hof, Paul Housley, Elizabeth McIntosh and Damian Moppett.
