3123 Manor Dr

Masterpiece in Modern Living. Roblin House is a modernist work of art tucked inconspicuously into a typical Cowichan Valley neighbourhood. Designed by artist & architectural designer Richard Roblin for his family, it is a testament to superb design and refined finishes in a light-filled, harmonious residence integrating natural wood & intricate detail. It was designed to showcase art in two ways: the walls & lighting systems. The orientation of the house is on an east-west axis, the entrance faces the rising sun & the living room & bedrooms face the setting sun. French doors in the south-facing dining room open to an exterior courtyard & herb garden. There are hints of Japanese architecture throughout & a sense of simplicity & quietude. Skylights in the vaulted ceiling bring openness to the main living space, while a partially dropped ceiling of fir frames the vault at 7'. A cantilevered black lacquered platform extends across the room in front of the fireplace. The kitchen joins the open space with white lacquered cabinets, stainless steel appliances, olive green glass tile backsplash & bamboo green countertops. The studio or family room is accessed by a sliding shoji door that opens to a mezzanine library/office with floor-to-ceiling fir bookcases. The main area features a wall of windows & 14' ceilings. A fir-framed pivoting glass door leads to an exterior courtyard with multi layered patios. The primary bedroom includes a spa-like bathroom with porcelain tiles, white lacquered vanity and turquoise glass tile backsplash. The soaker tub looks out through a sliding shoji window onto a serene garden. All 3 bathrooms enjoy underfloor heat. The yard has a unique patio with raised decks for accents of colour and texture. Located near to Cowichan District Hospital, Queen Margaret's School and the famed Cowichan Valley Trail and just 45 minutes to B.C.'s capital city, Victoria. (id:4069)