Poised to IMPRESS
Dynamic building in downtown Surrey houses serene, efficient interior suites
Linea to take a look that’s both striking and efficient
You might say that Linea was designed from the outside in.
When Louise Noon saw the undulating curves that will grace Linea’s exterior, she knew that she and IBI Architects shared an appreciation for bold design and intelligent use of space.
“The architecture of Linea is both dynamic and efficient,” says the False Creek Design Group interior designer, who worked with developer Rize and IBI on the 236 homes at Linea, a condo community planned for Surrey’s city centre.
“From the start, we wanted this focus on unique expression and detail carried through to the interior.”
The designers, developer and architect set out to embrace beauty with a purpose, and shared the goal of offering efficient indoor spaces.
They succeeded, with special features like kitchens on the exterior wall to welcome natural light and take advantage of the view, says Steven Cox, head of creative at Rize.
“The biggest challenge we face when producing a building with a unique form is being able to deliver well-functioning interior suites,” he says.
“To Rize, that means all the different spaces of the home need to work well in isolation, and together, as a well-considered design.”
Cox says the serene interiors were fashioned to present a subtle counterpoint to the more striking look of the building’s exterior, which is reminiscent of mid-century modern design.
“For this reason, it was very important that the interior design responded with a calm and sophisticated palette,” he says.
In other words, the architecture takes centre stage, while the interiors play a supporting, but significant role.
Cox says the developer expects that many Linea buyers, already attracted to the building architecture, will possess their own strong sense of style and design sensibility.
Usually, these owners prefer interiors to offer a calm background, or a clean, minimalist space that gives them the freedom and efficient space to express their own taste in decor and personal items.
“Too often, interiors try too hard, and by the time a collection of interesting furniture, art and collectibles are added to a home, it becomes overwhelming. Linea was designed with this idea in mind,” he says.
Noon has a keen eye for
resilient, attractive finishes. She concentrated on the kitchens and bathrooms, which she says were detailed “both to maximize counter space, storage and livability.”
The powder rooms, bathrooms and ensuites are lined with 24-by-24-inch porcelain wall tiles and 12-by-24-inch floor tiles. In the bathrooms, homeowners will find resilient Caesarstone quartz countertops and rectangular under-mount sinks.
“The large-format tile has the effect of making the rooms appear more spa-like and larger,” says Noon.