Project: Double Header House
Architecture: D’Arcy Jones Architecture
Contractor: Aryze Developments
Landscape Design: Biophilia Design Collective
Location: Fernwood, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Year: 2019
Photo Credits: Sama Jim Canzian
Situated on a side street in Victoria’s Fernwood neighborhood, the site nestles in a residential area characterized by modest homes and a vibrant artistic community. Just a few blocks away, a lively village with popular shops and restaurants enhances the appeal of this location. The surrounding streets feature a variety of large character houses, postwar bungalows, and speculative homes from the 1970s and 1980s, creating a diverse architectural landscape.
Family Dynamics
The residents of this home comprise three generations of a close-knit family. This includes a retired couple—one a photographic artist and the other a former university administrator—their son and daughter-in-law, both employed in Victoria’s shipyards, and their two children, a teenager, and a younger child of school age.
Architectural Concept
The design team created the Double Header house to comfortably fit six people on a compact urban lot. Influenced by local zoning laws that restrict typical duplex constructions and limit attached suites to no more than 955 square feet, they developed a double-headed form. An east-facing apartment accommodates the grandparents, who spend their mornings at home, while a west-facing unit serves the younger family, who return in the afternoons. A soundproofed corridor connects the two units, allowing each family to enjoy privacy while still being able to interact when desired.
Outdoor Integration
The house embraces both its front and back yards. Each unit features a large porch overlooking a wild-landscaped garden. These porches are sheltered by steeply sloping metal overhangs that provide privacy and protection from the elements. Unique angular windows and wall fins help direct and refine the views outward.
Innovative Design
A distinctive folded sculptural form characterizes the entire project. This effect was achieved by fitting matching prefabricated truss roofs onto units of slightly different sizes. As a result, while the roof slopes vary, the interiors of the two suites are nearly identical, with the larger unit being a stretched version of the smaller one. Responding to the clients’ desire for a casual and straightforward home, the design leaves structural details and framing exposed, showcasing off-the-shelf fasteners that are typically hidden behind drywall.
Durable Materials
The architects chose materials for their ability to age gracefully and require minimal maintenance. The house features bleached cedar wood siding, metal-clad fir windows, exposed concrete floor slabs, and corrugated galvalume metal for the roof and wall cladding. These elements contribute to a lively and dynamic appearance, akin to a stop-motion animation of daily life.
Sustainable Living
The design incorporates sustainable features to enhance long-term livability. Using durable materials reduces maintenance needs, while the open-plan interiors and large windows maximize natural light and ventilation. This thoughtful design ensures that the house remains functional and comfortable for the family as their needs evolve over time.
