A temple framed by nature and rock ‘n roll

KERRY GOLD

Gambier Island, B.C. — From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, Jul. 15, 2010 11:43AM EDT

The amazing Gambier Island home of Bruce Ramus, former U2 show manager. A Japanese pagoda crossed with a native longhouse, it's made almost entirely from cedar off the lot on which it sits. All the walls of the house are solid wood, 6" thick. There is no insulation. All photos by Ron Thomas

Bruce Ramus used to direct the U2's stadium concerts. He poured some of the proceeds - and some of the lessons learned - into a 1,900 sq. ft. home made almost entirely of old-growth cedar

Gambier Island homeowner Bruce Ramus says the design inspiration for his elaborate house came from a few icons: the Japanese temple, the native longhouse — and rock band U2.

To look at the house, which sits on 1.25 acres on Gambier Island in Howe Sound, the Japanese temple design is obvious. There are even peace bells hanging beneath the steep roofline. Inside, the giant vertical pillars create a feeling of cathedral-like height and light, and speak of the longhouse tradition. But other than a giant replica of a green olive lying out back — a leftover prop from U2’s PopMart tour — Bono and the boys’ influence is less overt.

Mr. Ramus, born in Squamish, B.C., worked with the Irish rockers for 16 years on 850 shows, first as their chief lighting director, then as show director. He’s also worked on shows for the Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and David Bowie, but it’s his work with U2 that shaped his life and his philosophy. The house, which took four years to build and a budget of more than $500,000 because of its complex construction, is the culmination of that experience, says Mr. Ramus.{read more}

Here is the listing information with more photos. Posts Standing, Gambier Island Listing