US firm Olson Kundig has raised this oceanfront home on Canada's Vancouver Island on stilts, providing panoramic views of the surrounding forest and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
The 2,500-square-foot (232-square-metre) home is located in Tofino, a remote town on the island's west coast known for its breathtaking scenery, laid-back surfing culture, and harsh weather.
The Tolfino Beach House is sited on the west coast of Vancouver Island
A long walkway flanked on either side by wooden boards leads to the home's main entrance, which is partially covered by the roof's broad overhang.
"Nestled in a weather-beaten forest, this beach house creates a connection between the drama of the nearby ocean and the sense of sanctuary provided by the trees," said Olson Kundig in a project description. A long walkway leads to the home, which is surrounded by a coastal forest
An open-concept living area, dining room, and kitchen occupies roughly half of the home, on the side facing the ocean. The architects included full-height glass walls here to capture the most of the area's natural surroundings.
"The beach house is essentially one single room, with the emphasis on feeling connected to the ocean and the surrounding woods," said principal Jim Olson, who co-founded the Seattle-based firm in 1966.

Glass also runs around the perimeter of the great room at floor level, offering peeks at the forest undergrowth below. "The house is raised up off the ground because of the sa...