Bankside House

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On the Market
Bankside House by M. Piry, 1968/2024
Upper Delbrook, North Vancouver

Photography by James Han
Story by Nadine Cuttingham

A secluded sanctuary defined by the rhythmic flow of a neighbouring creek, The Bankside House offers a rare synthesis of architectural heritage and contemporary refinement, nestled within the quiet canopy of Upper Delbrook.

The Introduction

In the quiet, leafy enclaves of the North Shore, The Bankside House draws its identity from the specific rhythms and textures of the woodland rather than asserting itself over the site. Originally conceived in 1968, the home stands as a definitive expression of the enduring appeal of West Coast Modernism. Set on an elevated, sloping site, it offers an immersion in nature that feels both restorative and refined.

The residence is defined by a series of deliberate transitions where the architecture serves as a subtle frame for the environment. It is a home that values atmosphere over artifice, utilizing a curated palette of materials that allow the structures to recede into the shadows of the firs.

"Our days are often fast-paced, and this house became our reset," the owners reflect. "It is a place where you arrive home and immediately feel transported into a different world."

This is a study in quiet confidence—a place that holds space for life without demanding attention.

Context and Arrival

From the driveway, the house presents a quiet elevation framed by the verdant layers of a lushly planted entry garden. This threshold buffers the home from the outside world, heightening the sense of privacy before revealing a striking material contrast: a dark, textured envelope of wood siding punctuated by the warmth of red cedar soffits. It is the first indication of the light-filled interior beyond the front door.

This clarity of form is what drew the current custodians to the property. Having previously stewarded architectural masterworks of the region, they recognized in this 1968 structure an inherent soul requiring no justification.

"The home revealed itself gradually rather than all at once, which made it feel private and intentional," they note. "It immediately gave us the feeling of being somewhere far removed from daily life, even though we were still very much in the city."

Inside, the floor plan initiates a rhythmic descent into the main volume. The space feels simultaneously expansive and intricate, as one moves into a soaring, double-height living room where large skylights invite shifting canopy light to play across the walls. One does not simply enter the house; one moves into the forest.

A Canvas for Life

Inside, the home unfolds as a study in light and materiality. Verticality defines the interior logic, as timber-clad ceilings rise to meet the skylights that flood the core with a soft, omnidirectional glow. The even quality of light—free of harsh shadow—creates an ideal setting for art and sculpture, yet these spaces are primarily designed as a backdrop for the vitality of a growing family.

"The stillness of the surroundings and the way light moves through the home encourages reflection, clarity, and creative thinking," the owners observe. "Subtle shifts in light, shadow, and colour transform the interiors with the seasons. It has been a backdrop for meaningful moments—quiet mornings, shared meals, creative work, and rest.

While the home offers clean lines and expansive wall planes suited to a curated collection, its best design features are those that disappear into everyday life while improving it quietly. A thoughtful layout and an intuitive flow make daily rituals feel effortless. The central living space is anchored by the hearth, a tactile counterpoint to ethereal shifting light that filters through the canopy. This feature provides contrast to the airy transparency of the surrounding glass while grounding the volume with a sense of permanence and warmth.

A Living Soundtrack

The Bankside House derives its spirit from its relationship with the land. Running parallel to a beautiful, active creek, the house sits in natural alignment with its sloping site. From below, the structure appears to float - a glass and wood volume nestled among ferns and firs.

The sound of the water is a constant presence, reinforcing the home’s identity as a private refuge. This connection is most palpable on the lower levels, where the boundary between interior and exterior becomes porous.

"On rainy days it feels cozy and peaceful; on bright days it opens and feels expansive," the owners explain. "It is a home that invites you to slow down."

Beyond the central living area, a pair of French doors frame the woodland, opening directly to the forest edge and drawing the cool, scented North Shore air into the heart of the home.

The Lightbox

As twilight descends, The Bankside House undergoes a subtle transformation. By day, the house recedes into shadow, camouflaged by dark siding and towering firs. At night, the integration of glass guardrails and expansive, unadorned windows allows the home to glow from within, acting as a quiet lightbox that illuminates the surrounding forest.

The architecture becomes a transparent frame for life, revealing warm interior tones and the hearth to the night air. This evening presence reflects a home inseparable from its environment - offering shelter while remaining open to the beauty of the night.

Discrete Luxury and Adaptable Living

While honoring its 1968 heritage, The Bankside House has been meticulously updated to meet contemporary standards of performance and comfort. These improvements are integrated with discretion, prioritizing resilience and quiet ease.

"We focused on a respect for craftsmanship and longevity rather than trend-driven choices," the owners note. "We value spaces that work hard for daily family life but also create calm and restoration when the day is done."

A new metal roof and energy-efficient windows provide a durable shield from coastal elements, ensuring the interior remains calm and composed through the changing seasons. This sense of future-readiness is reinforced by the addition of a high-capacity EV charger, ensuring the residence remains as capable as it is rooted in its history.

This commitment to longevity extends to the home’s versatility. The lower level – with its own expansive recreation room - remains connected to the outdoors through direct access to the creek-side patio. Designed to adapt over time, this level can function equally well as a self-contained three-bedroom suite, offering a rare opportunity for multi-generational living or a high-value revenue option.

The Next Chapter

The Bankside House represents a rare opportunity to step into a lineage of modernism carefully stewarded for over half a century. We invite the next custodian to discover the quiet magic of this setting and the way the home reveals itself slowly over time. Now ready for its next chapter, it offers a life shaped by the enduring rhythm of the forest and the restorative presence of the creek.

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Home Facts

Name: Bankside House
Address: 328 Monteray Ave, North Vancouver, V7N 3E6
Neighbourhood: Upper Delbrook, North Vancouver
Designer: M. Piry
Price: $2,588,000
Year Completed: 1968
Renovation: 2024
Interior Living: Single-family residence designed for daily family living with strong indoor–outdoor connection and retreat-like qualities
Levels: 3
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 4
Interior Living: 3338 sqft
Exterior Living: 1385 sqft

Structural / Engineering Highlights:
- Sloped ceilings
- Sunken levels
- Structural openings enhancing light and sightlines
- Home settled into the landscape
Landscape and Planning:
- Private, elevated setting
- Surrounded by forest, mountains, and a creek
- Oriented for privacy while maximizing natural light
- Strong relationship between interior spaces and surrounding greenery
Views / Orientation:
- Forest and mountain outlook
- Creek-side setting
- Elevated position above the city
- Oriented to balance openness with privacy
Features:
- Strong indoor–outdoor flow
- Layered sightlines that change throughout the day
- High-quality, durable finishes
- Calm, quiet atmosphere rare so close to the city
- Home changes character with seasons and light