Thomson House

Victoria, BC

Canada

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Featured in

Reside Modern Home Magazine

Year Completed

2018

Project Type

Renovation

Architect

John Di Castri (1957)
Seng Tsoi Architects (2018)

Builder

MDRN Built

Photographer

Sama Jim Canzian

Collaborators

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This project involved a complete interior remodel of an original John Di Castri–designed home in the Rockland neighbourhood of Victoria. Built for Walter and Mary Thomson in 1957, the 2,750-square-foot residence was heritage designated in 2002 and is the youngest Heritage House in Greater Victoria. In keeping with the modern tradition of the design, the interior was detailed and executed in a minimalist fashion, allowing the architectonic elements of Di Castri’s work and the mature Garry Oak trees to remain the focal points of the space.

The original design is an innovative display of structural expression in the mid-century modern architectural style of West coast post-and-beam construction. The house consists of a concrete core that anchors the house to the rocky knoll, and a structure of glulam beams that are supported on steel cylindrical columns both on the interior and exterior of the house. The existing floor and roof systems are made of 3x8 tongue and groove cedar boards. There is a spiralling asymmetry to the array of beams that create the shape of the house, and from the street it appears as a sort of architectural expression of a tree house. The original windows are made from extruded aluminum, which were built and glazed on site. The large sheets of glass in the butt glazed corners help accentuate the floating condition of the floor and roof assemblies.

"Heritage Building" plaque on Thomson House exterior — Heritage designation plaque

a secret message in the walls, left by the original builder back in 1957 — Message from original builder in 1957

Due to the lack of cavities common in typical woodframe construction the services and systems upgrades present a unique challenge in this project. A geometry of drop ceilings is being utilized to create chases for mechanical and electrical systems, as well as cover up some of the changes to the floor plan that have left imprints on the original unfinished cedar ceiling. The post-and-beam construction of the house did not provide adequate insulation, so all the exterior walls are being spray foamed to increase thermal efficiency as much as possible.

Interior detailing is minimal, with care and attention given to finishes and flush transitions between materials. Wherever possible surfaces are being finished with materials that are pure and crisp, such as solid surface corian shower surrounds, one piece corian sink-countertops, and 12" x 1" Dinesen european oak flooring.