Left vacant and untouched for a decade, interior designers, construction crews, and structural engineers ascended a high-end luxury penthouse from a shabby shell to a modern masterpiece.
Located on the top two floors of one of Vancouver’s waterfront penthouses, this 8000 foot residence was constructed 10 years ago to be Vancouver’s most premium residence.
Equipped with a private elevator, four car garage, associated yacht slip, nanny suite, and spectacular views, what this space lacked in design it made up for in luxury amenities. The penthouse had remained vacant for ten years – until now!
Enter Omer Arbel Office Inc., including Omer Arbel, Jay Grandin and Cam Mitchell, Dan Militich Construction Management, and Andrew McLellan of Structural Solutions. Their goal – “To design an interior equal in vision to the original scope of the project. A penthouse like this becomes more then a residence, it is an opportunity for incorporating fantasy and surrealism into a domestic environment.”
The plan was simple – take a blank slate and turn it into an ultra-upscale home. Well, maybe simple isn’t the best word… We spoke with Omer Arbel about the creation of this modern masterpiece.
What was the inspiration for this makeover?
Four backlit translucent white onyx clad rooms (or “pods”) are distributed compositionally in three dimensions within the two-story volume. The backlit onyx pods, which act as giant lanterns for the spaces around them, delineate domestic activities within the penthouse, organizing public and private space.
The pods are visible as light sculptures from the entire downtown core of Vancouver and serve to illuminate the spaces around them. A strong contrast is established between the experience of being inside and outside of the pods. While outside the pods, the remaining interior of the penthouse is treated minimally. In contrast, the experience inside the pods is private, sensually rich, baroque with detail, and introverted in focus.
What was the biggest challenge/obstacle for this project?
The largest technical challenge was how to design the onyx pods in such a way that the lamps for the light fixtures could be accessed and replaced. In the end, we found that by designing and overlapping shingle system with a pivot, we could allow for access to the light cavity within without compromising the aesthetics and crispness of the piece. Perhaps the shingles even enhance the way the piece reads.
You can't help but gaze in awe at the formal living room. Who made the large inter-locking shelving unit and chandelier?
This is the 1.1 Shelf by Yours Truly. It is a dis-mountable system of storage composed of two layers of shelving offset by 12 cm. It can be wall mounted or assembled as a partition between spaces. At the center of the pod is the 14 Series Chandelier, designed by Omer Arbel for Bocci.
What were their “must haves” for the kitchen and dining pods?
It was all up to me. There were no “must haves.” I simply followed my personal aesthetic.
What type of flooring and wood was used throughout the home?
Walnut for the interior wood cabinetry, Brazilian Ipe for the floors.
What type of people do you envision living in this space?
This is a 2nd or 3rd home for an affluent design lover, probably young.
Are there currently residents occupying the penthouse?
Yes. The current owner lives there part time.
Photographs by Michael Boland, Shannon Loewen and Josh Dunford
View full makeover photo gallery!