Private Residence

Vancouver, Canada

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Private Residence

Vancouver, Canada

Firm

James Paul Architect

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2008

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

$500K - 1M

Reason for execution of project: Aging house at
end of life cycle required upgrading, major maintenance, modernization and functional improvements to continue as home for growing family.
Objectives: Increased space, functionality, comfort,
improved aesthetics and sustainability.
Space & Function: The renovated house is reconfigured with additions to provide two professionals’ offices and bedrooms for a family of 5 in ‘adult’ zones and ‘kid’ zones. Adult spaces with two offices, a master bedroom, family
room and principal living spaces form the upper floor, while the lower floor accommodates 3 teenager’s bedrooms with an accompanying bathroom and recreation/sun room. South facing outdoor living areas adds further to the feeling of spaciousness.
Aesthetics: Originating in 1958 as a developers ‘ersatz post and beam’ bungalow the house now acknowledges a true Northwest post and beam heritage while retaining economy of the developer’s original construction materials and methods. By contrast, a house of this age and condition would typically be demolished for redevelopment into a ubiquitous ‘monster’ or craftsman style home. The warmth of an exposed wood structure and ceiling
offsets neutral coloured walls configured for the display of art and reflecting natural light. High ceilings and open planning give a feeling of increased spaciousness with enhanced connections to the outdoors through large picture windows; cantilevered structural glass balustrades on the decks virtually disappear and leave views towards the water and city unobstructed.
Height restrictions eliminated the possibility of adding an upper floor, however this was turned into an opportunity with the addition of a light filled dormer over the kitchen and roof skylights strategically placed to bring natural light into interior rooms.
The entrance uses glass, Douglas Fir and stone to make a link with distant ice, trees and bedrock of the North Shore mountains. From the living room the street and mountains are viewed through the entry curtain wall and kitchen clerestory windows offer more views to the mountains.
1x4 Cedar siding custom coloured with eco-friendly stain responds to the natural earth and ‘raincoast’ sky colours. An illuminated metal stanchion playfully invites visitors to ‘ring’ at the entrance door.
Green Building & Sustainability: Remodeling a house on a tight budget does not leave room for many certified ‘green’ products, techniques or systems that have ‘green’ sex appeal. Rather, a common sense approach kick-started the ‘green’ strategy. Retaining or salvaging 75%-80% of the original building fabric and materials saved measurably in resource consumption and green house gases generated in municipal landfill. An on-site construction recycling program helped reduce waste by managing some of the demolished wood framing materials, wood, concrete and metal for recycling back into the house for framing, hardcore base and finished details. New framing materials, common spruce and pine, have been exposed and stained in substitution for more precious and scarce Douglas Fir.
Reduced energy use is a primary objective of the project and the house meets Building Code requirements for energy conservation through increased envelope insulation, a high-efficiency gas furnace and water heater, Low E window glazing, large windows and skylights for natural illumination.
Natural gas consumption, the principal space heating and hot water energy source, is reduced by 49%. In the interest of energy conservation 35% of artificial lighting needs are low energy CFL, fluorescent or LED; 78% of the remaining lighting is controlled by dimmers or timers.
Orientation of the house takes maximum advantage of the south facing aspect for passive solar heat collection in lower floor concrete heat sinks. Stack ventilation cools in summer and a heat recovery ventilator reduces heating costs while helping to improve indoor air quality.
Envisioned wish list of future fossil fuel conserving systems include rooftop photo-voltaic and solar hot water collection, and an air to air heat pump.
Natural stone, ceramic and wood finishing materials defy dust retention and off-gassing that can also affect indoor air quality. Featured materials with ‘green credentials’ include fast growing bamboo and fly-ash concrete.
Large roof overhangs offer protection from the sun and rain, hidden gutters permit 24% of the roof area to drain directly back into the water table via gravel drainage swales at the house perimeter.
Reduced maintenance, a component of sustainability, are projected through the use of durable materials including a metal roof, natural stone, ceramic tile, and bamboo floors, superior siding, paint and stain materials and long life light
bulbs.
Life cycle planning of the house will permit future conversion of the lower floor to an efficient secondary suite if desired.