Inside a fir-shrouded West Vancouver home
The Eagle Harbour, West Vancouver home of Lorne Rubinoff. It was once owned by West Coast architect Paul Merrick, who designed the cedar, fir, glass and stone home himself.
'It's such a part of its environment,' owner Lorne Rubinoff says, 'that every time the forest changes or the weather changes, it's reflected in the house.'
Concerned that developers might just buy the home for its lot value and tear it down, Mr. Rubinoff embarked on a nine-month reno last year - designed by the original architect, Paul Merrick - to add additional creater comforts.
Unlike many neighbouring West Vancouver homes, it is not a post and beam structure but rather composed of what Mr. Rubinoff calls 'dimentional lumber' - a range of 2x4s and 3x8s that give it a rich texture.
Because of its cliff-hugging site and numerous small staircases leading to various rooms, it's hard to tell exactly how many levels there are in the house. Mr. Rubinoff said he once counted 16.
Soaring 50-foot fir trees surround and embrace the home.
A resting spot among the roof trusses.
A view of the water shrouded by trees from the dining deck.
Sun and shade in the living room.
The master bathroom, with sunken tub.