Living small can be a challenge in Metro Vancouver. Here are some tips and tricks.As part of the GVHBA Spring Home Renovation Seminar, Laurel, director and principal designer at Novell, conducted a presentation on living small and how to thoughtfully design a small space. We've dissected our presentation and compiled some of the juicy details for your perusing pleasure. You can view the entire Prezi presentation here. For more information on the projects featured, click on the thumbnails.
Create a beautiful path to a beautiful home
A shipping container becomes an eye-catching home that demonstrates excellent landscape design. Source: Architizer
Organize your desired experiences
Colour is used to delineate the entryway and storage spaces in this home in Mexico. This design characteristic also separates the living and dining areas from the bedrooms. Source: Dezeen.
The floor plan of this 581sf home cleverly separates areas meant for entertaining and dining from private spaces. Source: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects.
This home's design creates a psychological separation between areas used to entertain company and areas private to the homeowner. The plan also segregates the kitchen so as so facilitate undisturbed preparation of meals. Source: Slade Architects.
Design with flexibility
A 420sf apartment makes the most of its available space using convertible features and flexible living solutions. Source: Architizer
Using tracks, the far wall of this apartment slides to reveal extra sleeping space. A murphy bed in the living area adds a third sleeping area. Source: Architizer
Convertible space allows this small home to accommodate large parties, so entertaining is a breeze. Source: Architizer
When you think of convertible features, outdoor spaces might not immediately come to mind. In this photo, a home in Australia uses a movable roof to create additional living space. Source: ArchDaily
Be clever with storage
A staircase is a great way to put unused space to work. In this 600sf London home, the space underneath the stairs acts as its main storage space. Source: Dwell
This London home is a great example of how a small space doesn't mean compromising on lifestyle. The owners' bikes are neatly stored beneath the stairs. Source: Dwell
Hide what you don't want to see
Believe it or not, this is a fully equipped kitchen. But what's missing here? Source: Contemporist
Built-ins are a clever way to hide visual clutter. In this photo, movable panels hide shelves and appliances and instantly convert this minimal space into a functional kitchen. Source: Contemporist
Use height for more storage solutions
In this small apartment, vertical space as well as a staircase is doing double duty as storage space. Source: Architizer
Our very own laneway house uses a 12-foot tall space as storage for our clients CD collection.
Go big or go home
Less space means your dollar goes further. Have fun with your home using bold accents and fixtures. Source: Dwell
A smaller kitchen means choosing high quality finishes like marble won't break the bank. Source: Canadian House and Home
Often overlooked is the low voltage or non electrical wiring. This wiring serves all kinds of communication and data needs throughout your home. Ethernet, coaxial, speaker, fibre optic and telephone wires are all commonly found in our homes.
Sometimes polarizing, the Vancouver Special is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable house styles in Metro Vancouver. Developed locally and rarely seen elsewhere, these homes were built primarily between the 1960s and 1980s.
7 Environmental challenges when building an infill in Greater Vancouver
Are you planning to build an infill home in the Lower Mainland? Is there an existing structure that predates the 1980’s on your lot? Legacy buildings and infrastructure which doesn’t meet current environmental standards can create many challenges for your project.
