Inspired oceanfront design
Newport at Westbeach
14807 Marine Dr, White Rock
Status: Complete
The Challenge
To design a distinctive, upscale oceanfront residential and commercial space that serves White Rock’s long-term sustainable development goals while engaging in a meaningful, inclusive public consultation process that addresses diverse community perspectives. To develop creative design solutions to overcome challenging constraints presented by a high water table.
About this project
Located ocean-side at the edge of White Rock’s commercial core, Newport at Westbeach is a one-acre site featuring luxury condos, 2-level townhomes, and street-level retail spaces. Once an uninspired muffler shop, Newport presented a huge architectural opportunity to design an inspired space with unobstructed, panoramic views of the ocean. The result: an ultra-modern building design that seamlessly integrates with its seaside surroundings through expansive use of glass, spacious terraces, balconies, and rooftop gardens.
Newport is a story about building connections. Integrating an urban streetscape with oceanfront living with a street-to-beach design. Connecting a bustling commercial hub with the surrounding single-family neighbourhood with graduated building heights and a public plaza complete with local public art. And finally, harnessing forward-thinking design ideas, including intimate courtyards, a firepit, an outdoor kitchen, and communal vegetable plots, all designed to foster community among residents. Our courtyard design created the opportunity to maximize natural light and cross-through ventilation, sparing the need for energy intensive mechanical cooling systems.
Newport is also a story about overcoming challenges. Once a sleepy seaside town, many local residents were concerned about new development changing the fabric of the community and altering the coastline. We tackled the challenge head-on, working tirelessly to engage the public in an extensive, meaningful consultation process. Many uphill residents were concerned about losing their ocean views, so we developed superimposed the proposed design onto their existing views. As a whole, our public consultation approach allowed us to understand community values, respond to diverse concerns, and develop creative design solutions.
