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When Dr. Paul and Mrs. Josephine Hwang commissioned Arthur Erickson in 1980 to design them a home that would, according to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, “nestle in private gardens and incorporate both Western and Eastern influences”, the renowned Canadian architect turned for inspiration to the traditional houses of Soochow (known today as Suzhou) in southeastern China’s Jiangsu Province, which were built around the city’s canals, bridges and classical gardens.

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Two houses were typically positioned in opposite directions with a common back wall, featuring corridors of rooms and second-storey balconies that overlooked a collection of courtyards, decks and some form of water. The interiors were designed to flow seamlessly into exterior gardens and water features, such as ponds or waterfalls, to create a sense of peace and tranquillity.

Property Watch: Arthur Erickson-designed home hits the market Back to video

The project suited Erickson just fine, since his signature style of designing his structures to integrate gently into the natural environment followed the same philosophy. Two years later, he had created a home, which came to be known as the Hwang House, with floor-to-ceiling windows that immersed his clients into an expanse of greenery, trees and water, including a waterfall designed by a feng shui master. A bridge spanning a large koi pond planted with lilies and bulrushes and swirling with a dozen koi fish completes the sanctuary.

“In a lot of Vancouver homes, 10,000 square feet are not fully usable, but in this property you can use the entire 10,500 square feet,” says listing agent Daniel Tan of Angell Hasman & Associates Realty. “The courtyard features a sitting area for entertaining and barbecues” and the garden was redesigned in 2014 by Donna Begg of Perennial Design landscapers to include a mix of shrubbery and flowering plants.

That same year, a new bridge and perimeter cedar fence were installed, as were new front and back gates, two rebuilt waterfalls and new garden lighting.

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The living room is encased in tall windows with a curved cantilevered skylit extension that gives the sensation of floating above the pond, again recalling the blending of interior and exterior elements of those original Soochow houses. “The reflections in the water, along with the skylights and the floor-to-ceiling glass, create a beautiful play of light throughout the home during the day,” says Tan.

What’s inside

In 2011, the owners at the time installed new custom-made closets, bookcases and cabinetry in the main floor TV room. They also redesigned the basement bathroom to include a walk-in shower. That year they completed a partial kitchen renovation and installed new Miele appliances as well as custom cabinetry.

In 2013, the carpets in the family, living and formal dining room were replaced with high-quality wool carpet and new underlay at a cost of about $30,000, says Tan.

The 22 Douglas fir posts and beams throughout the home, a familiar Erickson motif that evokes Indigenous buildings of the West Coast, were replaced in 2014 and reinforced with interior steel. The two main floor fireplaces were converted to gas in 2014.

Upstairs, which is air-conditioned, a walkway is illuminated by a collection of continuous skylights that runs the length of the house (all the skylights and windows were replaced in 2014) beneath a pitched roof. “When I show the home during the day, most of the time I don’t have to turn on the lights because of the massive windows and skylights throughout the whole house that fill it with natural lighting,” says Tan.

The four bedrooms each feature their own skylit private deck with sliding wood screens. “The screens have many holes in them, which allows the natural light to come in but also allows you to close them for privacy,” says Tan. “You can slide them left or right for whichever view you prefer,” which is especially lovely when the cherry trees are in full blossom.

Tan says the primary bathroom, also with a skylight, feels like a five-star hotel, with soaker tub, walk-in shower, bidet and, as with all the upstairs bathrooms, heated towel racks. The three upstairs bathrooms were totally gutted and rebuilt with high-end and custom-built cabinetry in 2014.

On the lower level, one room was originally designed as a children’s playroom, but is now being used as an office and could easily be converted to a gym or library. For the oenophile, a glass-enclosed wine cellar holds more than 200 bottles.

In a city known for modern luxury homes, this Arthur Erickson residence stands apart because of its architectural significance, says Tan. “It’s a timeless piece of Vancouver design where nature, light and architecture come together. When you look at most Vancouver homes in this price range, they often have the same designers, same builders, so they can look very generic.”

He says the ideal buyer for the Hwang House is someone who appreciates unique architectural design, “who understands that this isn’t just a house but a collectible piece of Vancouver architecture. It is a rare opportunity to own a residence designed by Arthur Erickson, one of Canada’s most celebrated architects. Homes like this aren’t just properties, they are pieces of Vancouver’s architectural history.”

In the neighbourhood

There are numerous nearby schools in this Marpole neighbourhood. There are also plenty of playgrounds and parks, including a dog park, within walking distance. Queen Elizabeth Park is a 10-minute drive away, while VanDusen Botanical Garden is just five minutes away.

As for public transportation, Tan says, “The bus stop is at 57th and Hudson Street, which is like a front door pickup.”

He says the property has easy access to downtown over the Oak or Cambie Street bridges, and the airport is a 10-minute drive away. Langara Golf Course is a seven-minute drive, and Point Grey Golf & Country Club eight minutes.

The home sits between the many shops, services and restaurants of either Granville Street in one direction or Oak Street in the other, with the new Oakridge Park redevelopment just five minutes away.

Location:1299 W. 57th Avenue, Vancouver

Listed for: $5,998,000

Year built: 1982

Type: Four bedrooms, five bathrooms

Size: 4,573 square feet

Realtor: Listed by Daniel Tan, Angell & Hasman Associates