Honouring Neutra – Starlet House by Gordon Hartley

An ode to Richard Neutra’s Case Study House #6, Starlet House by influential architect Gordon Hartley is a beautiful recreation, featuring a seamless blend of midcentury modern design and west coast sensibility. Together with the owners, the architect crafted a home that takes advantage of the established landscape, indoor-outdoor living features and beautiful lines.

Located in Princess Park, North Vancouver, Starlet House was recently replicated for a Hollywood TV series; the home’s pitched roof holds a certain cinematic allure, marrying the spirit of midcentury modernism with an admiration for nature. Wanting to pay homage to the principles that underpinned Neutra’s approach, the architect incorporates a sense of openness throughout the interior spaces to achieve an open dialogue with the natural surrounds. Double-height volumes and extended glazing also offer striking vistas of the surrounds, and the integration of internal courtyards invites the landscape further into the dwelling.

Wanting to pay homage to the principles that underpinned Neutra’s approach, the architect incorporates a sense of openness throughout the interior spaces to achieve an open dialogue with the natural surrounds.

Select furniture and custom joinery played a key role in defining interior spaces while still allowing for visual connectivity throughout, often acting as sculptural additions to the home. Despite being spread over two generous levels, the sloped profile of the roof allows the overall form to sit relatively low and complement the surroundings.

A timber-lined ceiling and floor is featured throughout, this chosen materiality imbuing a sense of warmth and comfort into each of the private and open spaces. The long, bespoke lines of the timber finish alters the perceived scale of the inner volumes and binds them together as a singular, bold expression. The surrounding trees also provide plenty of privacy from neighbouring residences and soften the home’s presence, with dappled light dancing across the interiors throughout the day.

The long, bespoke lines of the timber finish alters the perceived scale of the inner volumes and binds them together as a singular, bold expression.

A respectful nod to the past, Starlet House is an exquisite example of landscape becoming a natural extension of the architecture. Through clean lines, open spaces and warm, inviting overtones, Gordan Hartley adapts Neutra’s modernist ethos to the ambience of the Canadian west coast.