201
The challenge that many interior designers face is to take a space and make it feel like a million dollars, for a lot less. This was the challenge we had with
the Alberni Penthouse.
This 3,000-square-foot penthouse duplex is situated in downtown Vancouver and enjoys stunning ocean and mountain views. The building's circular shape
and location inspired the owner to request a yacht-themed aesthetic for the home, which is evident throughout. Stainless-steel portholes were inserted
into some of the doors and the circular hallway rotunda conjures up a nautical compass idea. Though after careful thought and with budget in mind, an
abstract version was custom designed using waterjet sawn porcelain tiles. "Teak and holly" floors were originally requested but due to the prohibitively
high costs, grey oak was substituted and worked nicely.
Up the spiral staircase we enter the mezzanine level, which was completely rearranged. The main kitchen/dining area was moved upstairs to take
advantage of the fantastic panoramic mountain and ocean views and wrap-around patio. A carefully crafted circular kitchen was designed to mimic the
curved building's envelope. Another feature of this unit was the architectural void in the floor upstairs. Engineers were consulted to see if the void could
safely be covered with thick glass, thereby gaining floor space but maintaining the integrity of the architecture. It turned out to be a great success, and
color-changing LED strip lights were installed underneath to give it a dramatic glow at night.
Photographs by Ema Peters
Designed by Isometrix Design Inc., Vancouver, BC, page 216
ALBERNI PENTHOUSE
Vancouver, BC
