Splyce Design - Shoreline House - Victoria - Canada

2025-08-11

Splyce Design has completed Shoreline House, a thoughtful renovation and addition that balances contemporary design with environmental sensitivity. Perched at the end of a suburban street where single-family homes give way to rugged coastline, the property is defined by rocky outcrops, mature fir and oak trees, and sweeping 180-degree views of the inlet.

New construction versus renovation

The clients approached Splyce after purchasing the 1960s home with a vision for a new residence. Given the site’s immediate proximity to the ocean and its sensitive habitat, the studio proposed the option with the least ecological impact: retaining and renovating the existing structure, while adding a compact, single-storey extension.

Environmental considerations

Strict waterfront setbacks dictated an irregularly shaped building envelope for the addition, which houses the primary bedroom and ensuite. Designed with a minimal footprint, the new volume lightly touches the terrain, with recessed concrete foundation walls to avoid over-excavation in the marine protected area. The structure appears to hover, with its roof soaring 13 feet above a cantilevered screen wall that extends to a dramatic point.

Choreographed approach

Approach to the home is choreographed by a colonnade-lined staircase leading to the front door. The addition, clad in light-stained cedar, contrasts with the shed-roof forms of the original house, where dark finishes echo the granite shoreline. Throughout, the design explores the meeting points of old and new, wild and cultivated, interior and exterior.

Landscape matters

In the landscape, patios and pathways integrate seamlessly with native vegetation and topography. Expansive windows—some with concealed frames to dissolve the boundary between inside and out, others precisely placed to frame specific vistas—capture shifting light and ocean reflections, animating the interiors throughout the day.

Conclusion

Shoreline House stands as a testament to Splyce Design's ability to create contemporary architecture that is rooted in place, attuned to environmental context, and enriched by the dialogue between landscape and building.

About Splyce

Founded in 2001 by Nigel Parish, Splyce is a modern design studio specializing in projects ranging from new homes and renovations to custom furniture and landscapes. Small and hands-on, the studio works closely with clients to create intelligent, beautiful, and enduring living environments.

Splyce’s approach balances craft and creativity, blending practical expertise with a poetic sensibility. Every detail—whether in the organization of a building, the selection of finishes, or the design of a single piece of furniture—is considered with care. The studio values timelessness over trends, drawing inspiration from a project’s unique context, site, budget, and the client’s vision.

Photo credit: Ema Peter