Malinka Gallery addition. Photo Katie Huisman
In 2003, architect Florian Maurer built his personal home in Naramata, British Columbia. The original architecture?which won a Governor General’s Medal in 2006?explored a garden-court concept. It consisted of three detached structures around a generous enclosed garden inspired by Latin-American courtyards. The courtyard controls privacy and views?in contrast to the typical suburban house, where views can be at the mercy of neighbors.
Original Maurer House in Naramata, BC, showing landscaped courtyard. Photo Austin Hawkins
The house was since sold. In 2018, the new owners of the house approached Maurer to design a small addition, to serve as a multi-purpose space and private art gallery. But the architect’s design was never intended to be expanded. With the septic field in the centre of the courtyard and the main house at the edge of a rocky slope overlooking Okanagan lake, no acceptable placement was evident. Original Maurer House, showing placement on bedrock. Photo Austin Hawkins
Upon a close examination of the property, the slope to the west of the house allowed a low-profile addition to be placed just low enough to maintain lake views from the main house, across the addition’s roof. A stainless steel roof was chosen to avoid exposing an unsightly roof membrane, explains Maurer.  “Any other roof structure, in particular a green roof, would have raised it too high to preserve the view.”

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