West Coast modernism possesses a distinct and celebrated flavor, defined primarily by that seamless blurring of lines between human-crafted architecture and the surrounding natural world—a philosophy long exalted by mid-century design practitioners. While this architectural style is most commonly associated with the sun-drenched hills of California, particularly the Pacific Palisades, it has also found an appreciative and thriving audience further north in British Columbia. Though the weather in B.C. may not offer the same year-round warmth as its southern counterpart, the region shares a similarly breathtaking backdrop. From the northern reaches down to the south, the dramatic interplay of ocean waters, rugged mountains, and vibrant urban life provides a deeply compelling canvas for indoor-outdoor living.
In Victoria, British Columbia, a newly completed home designed by the architecture firm BoForm with interiors crafted by Bidgood successfully channels the very best of classic California modernism while thoughtfully adapting to its rugged, nature-embedded site. Perched dramatically above the water with sweeping, uninterrupted views of the Salish Sea looking toward the United States mainland, the expansive 400-square-meter residence spans three distinct levels that cascade gracefully along the steep hillside. While bringing the outdoors directly inside—achieved through extensive glazing wrapping the entire perimeter of the home—was a paramount priority for the design team, equally important was imbuing the interior spaces with a contemporary, elevated take on mid-century modern design principles.
The architectural layout of the home is meticulously organized to balance communal living with private retreat. The primary living spaces are arrayed across the main floor, creating a central hub for daily life and entertaining. This level encompasses the spacious living and dining areas, a main kitchen complemented by a functional butler’s kitchen, a convenient powder room, and the home’s garage. Descending to the level immediately below brings inhabitants and visitors into the home’s more private quarters. This intermediate floor houses the primary bedroom suite complete with a generous walk-in closet, a comfortable guest bedroom featuring its own ensuite bathroom, a dedicated home office, an additional powder room, and further functional spaces tailored to the owners’ daily routines.
The lowest level of the residence is dedicated entirely to hosting guests and prioritizing wellness. Here, the layout incorporates two additional guest rooms, a fully equipped home gym, a full bathroom, and essential mechanical spaces. Crucially, both the gym and the guest rooms open directly onto a sprawling lower terrace. This outdoor extension serves as a secondary living zone, featuring an outdoor kitchen, a relaxing hot tub, and a comfortable lounge area that brings the occupants right to the edge of the surrounding coastal landscape.
Throughout the residence, the rooms are characterized by a rich material palette that highlights exposed structural beams, warm brick walls, meticulous millwork, and carefully curated furnishings. Rather than competing with the architecture, the interior elements are designed to accentuate the home’s structural bones. Kyla Bidgood, creative director and founder of Bidgood, elaborates on the collaborative design process and the interior firm’s specific scope of work for the cliffside project.
"With the architecture and space plan established, our role was to refine the interior—developing all interior elements and ensuring a cohesive, intentional flow from the exterior inward," says Bidgood.
To achieve this seamless transition, the design team relied on a sophisticated combination of natural materials. Terrazzo, stone, and rich wood tones complement the blond brick used extensively throughout the structure. This same blond brick wraps distinct architectural features, such as the built-in benches lining the expansive windows and the grand fireplace that anchors the living space. In specific zones, such as the washrooms and custom millwork areas, the design team chose to introduce moments of distinct expression, opting for bolder surfaces and more vivid palettes that contrast playfully with the home’s otherwise neutral and earthy backdrop.
The homeowners, who originally relocated from Quebec, approached the design and architecture teams with a specific vision for their new West Coast sanctuary. They sought a living environment defined by warmth, earthiness, and a strong sense of place that anchored them to the striking geography of Vancouver Island. Bidgood and the collaborative design team ultimately delivered on this brief, crafting an environment that feels simultaneously expansive and deeply homey. The final layer of the interior design is completed by the owners’ own impressive, carefully curated art collection, which hangs along the white walls and punctuates the serene, light-filled rooms with personal narrative and visual depth.
