Cultus Lake House: Elevating Design, Embracing Nature
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDELj7yvFbU
When Steven Cross, founder of X Architecture, takes on a project, he’s not just designing a structure. He crafts a warm, welcoming, and visionary space. A space that sets the stage for stories to unfold. Cultus Lake, within the quiet Lindell Beach community of British Columbia, is where that story takes the form of a graceful, elegant, and environmentally-considerate home.
Architecture That Hears
The first challenge that the team faced was bringing generous natural light into the space without compromising on insulation. When it came to choosing the right material and finish, they needed warmth and character without the trouble of traditional wood.
At Cultus Lake, the answer was clear: the site was beautiful, but complex. Nestled within Frosst Creek, the land came with the risk of seasonal flooding. This was a major constraint, but not for Steven who saw silver linings in all that life throws. He took the challenge and turned it into a design opportunity. “The land isn’t static. Our architecture can’t be either,” he explains.
The solution? Lift the entire house to allow water to flow easily below.
He did so very tastefully, making the design choice seem artistic and purposeful rather than a reaction to a mere technicality. And it paid off, the effect was dreamlike: views stretch wide, air flows freely, and every surface feels connected to water, forest, and sky.
Steven, speaking to the vision behind X Architecture’s work, adds “Part of what we design is bringing the outside inside… that durability of being exposed to the elements and being cozy within is something we always try to integrate.”
Design for Durability
Cross Architecture is known for simplicity. His work doesn’t stand out by being loud or dramatic, instead it’s subtle but impactful. That calm is reflected throughout the inner workings of the Cultus Lake home. Large windows frame the landscape, the rooftop stares into the sky and the aesthetics whisper a sense of warmth. And every detail is considered with longevity in mind.
“Longevity is one of the most powerful forms of sustainability,” he says. “We design for future generations, not just current ones.” And, to bring this vision to life, Steven needed materials that could perform as beautifully as they looked. “Longboard gives us flexibility to unify the inside and out,” Steven explains. “It supports the look we were going for.”
Just like the house, the materials are designed for low maintenance and ideal for a lakeside environment where exposure to water, light, and weather is constant. The Cultus Lake House is an ode to its surroundings.
The X (Architecture) Factor
What makes the Cultus Lake House so captivating is the purpose behind it. This home reflects X Architecture’s values: sustainability through simplicity, beauty through function, and design that aids the world to shine through. “We’re not just building for today,” he says. “We’re building places that people can grow into, for decades.”
As we face a future of environmental uncertainty and rising design standards, projects like the Cultus Lake House stand as quiet leaders, setting a new bar.
