Ridge House: a Pender Island home under a folding roof
The Ridge House is a roughly 2,500 sq ft retreat on Pender Island, British Columbia, designed by Marko Simcic and Brian Broster, and its folding roof is the organising idea of the whole building. The house was designed to feel as if it floats over a steep ridge rather than being anchored to it.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Designers | Marko Simcic and Brian Broster |
| Location | Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada |
| Size | About 2,500 sq ft (our original said over 2,000) |
| Hallmark | Folding roof that is the primary enclosure of the space |
Why a folding roof
The site has steep grades and looks both north and south. The architects say it was a fulcrum from which the roof emerged:
” Having a strong relationship to both the north and south orientations characterized by openness and distance together with steep grades, this site presented a fulcrum from which the roof emerged as the project’s organizing feature. “
The folding roof orients, focuses and extends the experience, and acts as the primary enclosure. Its cantilevers over the outdoor space shelter the house from rain and wind, and the design catches light reflected from the ocean. The roof also shapes the acoustics for the clients’ musical performances, and it directs runoff to a reflecting pool on the north side.
” Beyond this, the roof met the site and clients with an aesthetic companion, as both a geological and musical metaphor. “
Setting
Trees surround the house and the owner asked for it to float on the ridge. More of the designers’ work is at their website. We found no price for the house.
Keep reading
- The Sky Garden House in Singapore: another home where the roof is the feature
- Amber Gardens, a green home community in Romania: more green-minded design
- Cove 3 House: a family home with a strong idea
FAQ
Where is the Ridge House?
On Pender Island, one of the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada.
Who designed it?
Marko Simcic and Brian Broster.
What is special about the roof?
A large folding roof is the main enclosure, shelters the outdoor spaces, directs rainwater to a reflecting pool and shapes the acoustics.
How big is the house?
About 2,500 square feet according to project write-ups.
How much is it worth?
We found no sale price or valuation.
Last updated: October 2026.
