Field & Forest
Where challenging terrain inspired unexpected possibilities
In Fort Langley, a quiet cul-de-sac of estate homes sets the stage for a property that feels expansive and intimate at the same time. At just under an acre, this family’s land had the raw ingredients. Towering conifers, a sweeping view of the Fraser River, and wide-open potential, but little in the way of usable space. With grown children and a busy pack of grandkids, the homeowners had a clear goal. They wanted to be the house that everyone is excited to come to. They envisioned a yard filled with the sounds of splashing in a pool, footballs arcing across the lawn, and evenings together around a fire.
The challenge: working with the slope, not against it
The property’s biggest obstacle was also its most defining feature. A dramatic slope down toward the Fraser River allowed for an incredible view, but with a trade-off. The grade change raised serious geotechnical concerns and made the original plan of placing the pool directly off the back patio unsafe. At the same time, the view of the river and surrounding mountains was too valuable to compromise. The design needed to preserve sightlines, create safe and accessible spaces for play, and offer enough parking and lawn area to host a crowd. All of this while blending naturally into the forested setting.
A pool that shaped the whole design
Shifting the pool to the side yard, away from the unstable slope, became the breakthrough. Rather than being a compromise, it unlocked the project’s signature feature: a walk-up pool bar. By setting the pool at the higher grade on the side of the house, the broad stairs could wrap down around the water, creating a perfect ledge for bar seating and casual hangouts. The extra-wide coping doubled as dry seating, allowing family members to linger at the water’s edge without needing to swim. Framed by mature evergreens and warmed by newfound sunlight after the removal of a shading cedar, the pool and hot tub became the lively hub the family had imagined with the perfect vantage point of the Fraser River.
Layers of family-friendly living
Around this anchor, the rest of the design unfolded. An expansive lawn directly off the house stayed open for sports and recreation, providing a flexible stage for family play. A tanning patio and lounge zone create an easy transition from the house down toward the recreational areas, keeping the backyard connected and fluid. At the farthest edge, a flagstone firepit patio perches atop the slope, offering an unobstructed panorama of river and mountains. With its wood-burning firepit and natural stone, it has the feeling of a campsite retreat, especially memorable for kids who gather to watch float planes land on the river below.
A lifestyle rooted in welcome
The result is a property that functions as the family’s gathering ground. The driveway was reimagined to offer a gracious entry sequence and ample parking, but the real magic happens out back. Today, the pool is in near-daily use, while weekends often bring the whole extended family together across the lawn, bar, and firepit. True to their welcoming and fun-living spirit, the homeowners even invited our family back after completion for a barbecue and swim, proof that this space isn’t just beautiful, it’s alive with the connections it was built to nurture.
