American Express

by DESIGN MAX
May 22, 2023

The In Between House is located in a typical Vancouver area that was developed after the war. The neighborhood comprises a blend of original 1950s L-shaped modern bungalows and post-1990s infill homes. The project's design aims to reimagine the conventional arrangement of mid-block Canadian infill houses that usually have light sources mostly at the front and rear of the property. To bring natural light deep into the interior spaces, the design incorporates significant cuts in the side and front yard elevations.

In Between House by RUFproject

The house is designed with a series of rooms that are stacked and overlapped, resulting in exterior voids. This design allows for full height glazing in each room, providing glimpses from one space to another and bringing the outdoors inside. The overlapping rooms also create an illusion of more space, as they borrow from each other and extend the eye. This design is intended to make the house feel larger and more open.

kitchen, RUFproject

The final outcome is that the house appears larger than its actual size, resulting in a stunning blend of an open floor plan and a traditional room layout. Despite its dark exterior, the interior is filled with natural light and seamlessly connects with the outdoors. Each room features full-height windows that face another room, allowing for a conversation between spaces and offering views of the surrounding neighborhood. To maximize natural light in the basement, one of the side yards was extended to create an outdoor space on the lower level, illuminating the 50'1 office and kids' playrooms.

In Between House by RUFproject