Tucked into the wooded slopes above Eagle Harbour in West Vancouver, the Griblin House is a carefully composed example of West Coast Modern architecture. Designed and built in 1973 by Barry Griblin of Hassell/Griblin + Associates, the residence follows the steep terrain of its site, presenting a compact cubic form set among dense coastal forest.
The building unfolds internally as a sequence of six interlocking split levels. Rather than a single open plan, the house moves through a series of connected volumes that step with the landscape, shifting in height, light and outlook. Lower levels feel sheltered within the trees, while upper spaces open toward the marina and distant water.
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
Photography: courtesy of West Coast Modern
At the centre of the plan, a native arbutus tree rises through a two-level void in the structure. The gesture reflects a broader approach in which the architecture responds to the existing landscape rather than replacing it. Materials follow the regional language of West Coast Modernism. Structural beams, large-aggregate concrete and stained cedar establish a robust palette, while expansive glazing draws daylight into the interior and frames views across the surrounding canopy.
A double-height living room anchors the house, its cedar-lined surfaces illuminated by changing light across the day. Decks arranged around the exterior extend the living spaces outward toward Eagle Harbour. The property is listed for $2,175,000 through West Coast Modern.
