EY Laneway House
Project Type: Laneway House
Location: Vancouver
Size: 620 SF
Rooms: 2 Bed, 2 Bath
Privacy & Family Connection
The client for this project lived with their family in a single-family home but they wanted to have their own space: a place separated enough so that they can have privacy, but close enough to be with family when desired. A laneway house was the perfect solution.
Challenges of a Vancouver Special
We began with a site visit to assess the Vancouver Special on the property. A large rear deck limited space for the laneway house, so we trimmed it back to meet the required 16-foot setback and maximize floor area.
Integrating Family Needs
We discussed the family’s needs in detail—they wanted two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, which was tight but doable. We presented several options with drawings and models. Their belief in Fengshui influenced key decisions, like avoiding stairs facing the front door and keeping the roofline soft.
Maximizing Square Footage
We rotated the roof to optimize headroom and fit a bright 100 sq ft bedroom with an art nook and ensuite. By using all allowable exemptions, we expanded the buildable area from 644 to 778 sq ft.
Bylaw Restrictions
Designed under the old bylaw, we lowered the building to make the ground floor a half-basement, avoiding upper floor setback rules. The oversized second floor was trimmed to create a double-height living room with a skylight, adding openness to the compact space.
