Backyard Integration: A Study In Indoor / Outdoor Unification
Service: Phased Design & Technical Strategy
Strategy: Phased Master Plan (Site/Drainage first, Interior/Spatial second).
Engineering Focus: Site drainage strategy, building envelope openings, and structural coordination.
Design Focus: Contemporary circulation, daylight optimization, and material continuity.
The Brief
This 1970s Vancouver home was a victim of "renovation creep"—a series of disconnected updates that left the house without a functional or aesthetic core. The primary challenge was to establish a unifying architectural vision that could be executed in phases, allowing the owners to manage the transformation while immediately addressing critical site issues like drainage and exterior circulation.
Our Approach
Engineering: Leveraging our construction background, we led with a Site Triage strategy. We prioritized the "civil" aspects of the property first: re-engineering the drainage and site grading.
Design: Once the site was technically sound, we moved to the interior, re-mapping the circulation to maximize daylight and sightlines. We updated the fragmented interior design with a cohesive material palette, ensuring the home felt intentional rather than accidental.
The Result: Seamless Integration.
A comprehensive transformation that proves the value of a phased Master Plan. By solving the site’s technical challenges first, we cleared the way for a design that maximizes views and openness, bringing long-term clarity to a previously disconnected property.
