POINT GREY PARK | SEAWALL HOUSE
Project at a Glance
Location: Point Grey
Year completed: Summer 2023
Awards: HAVAN Award Finalist
Best Renovation: $4 Million and over
Lot size: 3960 sq ft
Main House: 3088 sq ft
4 bed | 5 bath
Architect: Peter Rose Architecture
Interior: Falken Reynolds
Photo: Ema Peter Photography
Press: Western Living Article
The Brief
Existing home built in 1928, west coast craftsman details on the front elevation but not much else of character merit to be retained.
By keeping the house a renovation we kept 70% of the House’s structure from ending up in the landfill.
The house was lifted and a full height basement was added. We added most of the second floor by dormering out the roof. PRAI the architect on this project did a brilliant job of retaining the geometry of the original house while adding a significant amount of volume and space to the home.
Beautiful detailing of the interior using white oak and contemporary reveals kept the home looking clean, simple and refined while adding all the amenities of a bespoke yet tech forward custom home.
The whole home transformation allowed for significant improvements to the envelope and mechanical systems. While not quite achieving full net zero status, the homes efficiency rating improved significantly with a 100% reduction in GHG emissions and the house now using only 27 GJ/year, nearly 30% less than a new home built to 2024 code standards.
The Challenge
Lifting and lowering heritage houses on tight city lots is a specialty of Nestworks. We have done many projects like this over the years with 15 in Kitsilano alone. The level of finish and the exacting nature of the design made for some significant challenges.
100 year old houses are not known for how straight, plumb and level they are. When the design is full of tight reveals, and recessed details that need to be level, flush and parallel this means every surface of the home has to be re-shaped and surfaced to provide a frame for the finishes that is beyond the expectations of most new custom builds.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Our Approach
This home was a true collaboration of the Clients clear vision for the house combined with high end detailing from the interior design team and creative framing/structural solutions from the Architect and Engineer.
The double lift was a tricky part of this construction. We often lift whole houses to replace foundations and increase the ceiling height of basements. This house had a second lift where we needed to lift just the second floor and roof so that we could both straighten the main floor walls but also increase the ceiling height of the main floor.
The interior finish of the house has very detailed finishes, running front to back, top to bottom. Usually when a house looks exceptionally clean and simple, the details are the hardest. Incorporating all the technology, modern mechanics and recessed lighting into the clean contemporary design required a lot of planning and coordination through all stages of construction.
The Result
The home is a beautiful example of the absolute best of craftsmen details on the exterior, tied into its surroundings by a thoughtful landscape design that gives the house amazing context and presence. The interior looks simple and inviting with exquisite attention to detail and a palette that feels calm and timeless.
The house was converted entirely over to electricity and now produces zero GHG emissions. The solar array produces 70% of the homes energy usage and the house now functions 30% more efficiently then even a new house built to current step code standards.
