THE ANDERSON RESIDENCE ☆ RON THOM ARCHITECT ☆ Folio.YVR ☆ Issue 27 August 2024 ☆ Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

The Anderson Residence (1956), designed by Canadian architect Ron Thom, is a treasure of significant architecture inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is the subject of much conversation on the West Coast this season. On the market and available for viewing, we spoke with Vancouver-based Corey Klassen, CMKBD NCIDQ IIDA DDA Accredited, who is the Creative Director at Articulated Design Studio, on the property's significance and how historical builds influence today's design decisions.

Thom was renowned for his unique approach to design, creating homes that seamlessly blended into their natural surroundings. The 3,022-square- foot home on a 13,111- square-foot lot is nestled on a slope near Vinson Creek and was no exception. He crafted a two-level house with a living area upstairs, a spacious primary bedroom, three additional large bedrooms, and a den/ media room downstairs, all harmoniously integrated with the landscape.

The Anderson Residence boasts a breathtaking living room adorned with vaulted ceilings, ribbon windows, and exceptional millwork.

"The geometry of the exterior and interior millwork align to create this beautiful repetition throughout the entire property. Even a simple bathroom wall detail (like the blue bathroom) connects you with the outdoor features. Wood is such a linear material which can be used to draw the eye and compliment the other features of a space, as in our Brewery Creek Loft, the cabinetry and millwork play with the rhythm of the exposed brick of this heritage-listed building," observes Klassen, highlighting the intentional design decisions that create a harmonious living space.

The centrepiece of the living room is an oversized concrete fireplace meticulously detailed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. It serves as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into every aspect of the home's design.

A flat-roof design also lends to the home's West Coast Modern character.

Most of the structure's original features remain intact, but the kitchen and bathrooms have been updated.

"We appreciate when a kitchen is updated to align with the historic features of a house. This kitchen is designed to entertain and embody a juxtaposition of the cabinetry and millwork that is sensitive to the house, views and how it functions. Having designed kitchens that felt like they had always been there is sometimes a goal for our clients. As a designer, you can make choices that are thoughtful that connect with the existing style and details of a home," says Klassen.

The home's landscaped exterior includes a wrap-around driveway, mature trees and shrubs throughout, and a pond added off the back patio, bringing a sense of serenity to the property.

"Like Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West in Scottsdale, Arizona, the viewpoint of each window in this house is considered as much as the design of the surrounding landscape. Drawing the eye to appreciate a view can be as simple as how you choose to line up the grain details of hardwood flooring, much like we did in our Broughton Street Project, where the geometric rhythm of the oak visually connects the kitchen and living room together with stunning views of Coal Harbour," shares Klassen.

The home is recognized as a Primary Building of architectural significance and is listed on the West Vancouver Community Heritage Register.

The Architect

Ron Thom was born in Penticton, BC, the son of James Thom and Elena Myrtle Fennel. Thom served as an aviator with the RCAF during World War II and returned and graduated from the Vancouver School of Art in 1947. He never attended architecture school but apprenticed at Thompson, Berwick & Pratt, where he quickly became recognized as an unusually gifted draughtsman and designer.

In addition to The Anderson Residence, he also designed other notable buildings in the Vancouver area, such as the original BC Hydro Building (Burrard & Nelson), several of which won Massey Awards, the country's top award for architecture. In 1957, he became a registered architect at Thompson, Berwick and Pratt and a partner shortly afterward.

In 2013 and 2014, he was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition, "Ron Thom and the Allied Arts," featuring a collection of photographs, drawings, letters, and furniture he designed for his buildings. The exhibition was shown in BC in 2013, at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto beginning in February 2014, and at the Beaverbrook Gallery, Fredericton, in November 2014.

Listing Realtor Sue Scott shared, "The world is fascinated with Frank Lloyd Wright and architecture inspired by his work With this property, Ron Thom has created a work of art with incomparable detail. It is a true trophy property for mid-century modern enthusiasts."

The Anderson Residence / 1655 Ottawa Avenue / West Vancouver, BC