property watch: coquitlam’s sakura estate embraces the perfection of imperfection
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traditional japanese homes often follow the philosophy of wabi-sabi, an appreciation for imperfection and asymmetry. if elements are flawed, worn out or unbalanced, rather than scrambling to fix them, the theory goes, it’s better to not only accept but celebrate a place’s peccadillos. the pursuit of perfection, after all, is an exercise in futility and an express train to stress.
the couple who commissioned the sakura estate in coquitlam back in 1963 were not known to be japanese themselves, but they obviously embraced the wabi-sabi sentiment when envisioning their new mid-century modern home.
“its luxury comes from the materiality: it’s simple, reduced, peaceful,” says listing agent trent rodney, co-founder of west coast modern group real estate agency. “everything is locally sourced with a japanese sensibility.”
that sensibility starts with the property’s namesake, the sakura, a 60-year-old cherry blossom tree that presides over the front yard. adjacent to the entrance courtyard, the covered two-vehicle carport’s eaves curve up like a pagoda. after passing through two motor court gates and continuing along a curved driveway, then over circular paving stones that look like lily pads, and across slate tiles, you pass underneath translucent tōrō lanterns, historically used to line and illuminate paths around buddhist temples and shrines.
squamish granite columns frame the entrance courtyard, and a skylight illuminates the pebbled pathway leading to the home’s double mahogany doors.
james han
“the architect for the sakura, g. douglas wylie, collaborated with landscape architects muirhead and justice, both heavily influenced by japanese planning,” says listing agent trent rodney.
james han
hand set, locally sourced squamish granite columns frame the entrance courtyard, and a skylight illuminates the pebbled pathway leading to the home’s double mahogany doors.
“each element slows movement and creates a staged arrival in the entrance foyer that feels like you’ve entered the insides of a supersized japanese lantern,” says rodney.
the california-style pool in the backyard was inspired by american landscape architect thomas church, characterized by the kidney-shaped design that blends with the surrounding landscape. “granite monoliths, tall vertical stones near the pool and outdoor fireplace, function as sculptural landscape elements and reference traditional japanese stone garden placement,” says rodney.
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japanese maples, cedar and wisteria ensure privacy, while a small balsam fir edging the pool evokes the bonsai and standing stones in many temple gardens.
“the architect for the sakura, g. douglas wylie, collaborated with landscape architects muirhead and justice, both heavily influenced by japanese planning,” says rodney. “they approached the landscape and building as one, (which) are all linked to the japanese origin hundreds of years ago.” in fact, this residence is one of only two of wylie’s known designed homes, the other being the taylor residence in new westminster.
an outdoor living space with a built-in fireplace makes for a peaceful place to take in the property’s expanse of green lawn year-round.
what’s inside
the japanese influence carries into the bungalow’s interior with sliding shoji screens that open onto a sunken living room encased in glass and cedar planes reminiscent of a kyoto tea house. the exterior squamish granite walls extend to the fireplace wall inside.
“the primary fireplace itself is described as “wrightian” because its design recalls the fireplace compositions of frank lloyd wright in the 1940s and 1950s, where the hearth functioned as the structural and visual anchor of the home,” says rodney. “while wright never built in british columbia, his influence shaped many west coast modern architects.”
during a later renovation, slate flooring was added to the kitchen and bathrooms to match the original material palette, while refined marble covers the entrance and formal areas, and new carpets were laid in the bedrooms.
other improvements over the years include kitchen upgrades such as granite countertops, teak cabinetry with iron hardware balances, thermador appliances, and a built-in coffee station. a suspended glass cabinet and shelving that divide the kitchen from the dining space reflects the mid-century design.
sliding shoji screens that open onto a sunken living room encased in glass and cedar planes reminiscent of a kyoto tea house.
james han
sunken living room with view of the beautiful, private garden.
james han
a suspended glass cabinet and shelving that divide the kitchen from the dining space reflects the mid-century design.
james han
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rodney says this type of home is an endangered species, particularly in coquitlam. “the highrises in the distance aren’t so distant anymore, they’re coming in closer. it is in a fast developing area, and when we have fast developing that’s when we lose these things. there’s no protection; the track record for these types of homes is demolition, a reality of the last 10 years. we’re trying to celebrate living with more intention and maximizing your sense of space, integrating indoor and outdoor with the japanese principles, living in the entire site (and) maximizing available square footage.”
he says the home would appeal to creatives — filmmakers, musicians, art dealers, tech entrepreneurs — anyone looking for a sanctuary from the outside world. “these places can be inspiring, not just because they’re cool looking from an esthetic perspective but because they encourage us to slow down and embrace nature.”
in the neighbourhood
there are many public and private elementary, middle and high schools nearby, some within walking distance. the vancouver golf club is a few minutes away, as are shops, restaurants and other services along austin avenue and north road. a bit farther away are lougheed mall and costco.
the lougheed skytrain station is also close by, as is access to the trans-canada highway that takes you west through burnaby and into vancouver, or east into surrey and the fraser valley.
location:
listed for: $3,650,000
year built: 1963
type: five bedrooms, four bathrooms
size: 5,372 square feet
realtor: listed by west coast modern group, trent rodney prec
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