A contemporary interpretation of the Art Moderne style from the 1930’s, this beautiful three-story home was designed by our Vancouver-based Architecture and Interior Design firm with sophisticated luxury and elegance in mind. Located in the iconic Shaughnessy neighbourhood, this home is a modern take on the traditional style of the area.
Modern Shaughnessy Luxury, With a Twist
An elegant, curved staircase is the focal point of the main foyer. This grand spiral staircase in the center of the double heighted main foyer has contrasting hardwood treads and painted risers with matching stain-grade handrails reflect old world charms yet the restrained narrow handrails and simple spindles contrast with a modern twist. LED pin lights are inset into the treads for nighttime usage while LED strip lights are recessed into the underside of the stairs to highlight the curvilinear shape. The overall design culminates with the multiple spherical pendants under the grand domed ceiling.
Primary Bath
The focal point of primary bath is the organically shaped marble sink contrasting the linear lines of the stone countertop, the stain-grade millwork, and geometric tile pattern, creating a dramatic powder room. Users are greeted with the sculptural sink with a semi-precious stone countertop lit by dramatic lighting, and stunning matte-gold faucet and handles from Waterworks Isla collection.
Black polished marble tiles and shimmering wallpaper recedes into the background while guests focus is drawn to the vanity and attention is drawn away from the shower. Functionality was not sacrificed, an accessible curb less shower was installed at the far end of the bathroom with a wall mounted vanity can be modified for future adaptability when required.
Light coloured marble with gold metal trim flooring reflects glints of light and balance in an otherwise dark space. All lighting from pendants to the architectural recessed lighting can be controlled and adjusted. Layered lighting accentuates the luxurious finishes in this powder room.
Primary Kitchen
The center of all activities, the kitchen connects to the family room, a substantial patio, covered porch, and the outdoor kitchen. This space was designed to be multi-functional and also to accommodate multiple users for everyday living and entertaining. While white quartz was utilized for almost the entire kitchen countertop, the client also personally selected a semi-precious stone slab as one half of the 15’-0” centre island, defining the eating area.
Overall design and materials were selected for ease of maintenance while reflecting the overall understated elegance of the home. The ultimate chef’s kitchen houses multiple top-of-the-line, energy-star rated appliances. The room is brightly lit with integrated LED, including high-fidelity architectural recessed and concealed linear lighting. Oversized decorative LED pendants were also added and all lighting features can be adjusted to the desired level of illumination through handheld devices.
Children’s Area
The children’s area heavily features playful hexagons and bright pastels creating a wonderland for the kids. This space was also created with the client’s ballet practice in mind.
Inspired? Let’s talk!
Are you looking to start an architecture project in Vancouver? We’d love to help make your dream home a reality.
Contact the office at 604-264-1072 or email info@jhainc.ca to set up a consultation today.
This summer is heating up! At JHA we couldn’t be happier to get outside and enjoy what Vancouver has to offer. To celebrate the weather, we wanted to share some of our favourite west coast patio designs, and exterior design examples from past projects.
From the more traditional Marguerite Street project with its unbelievably lush canopy, to the contemporary Puget II with its to-die-for views. These two projects showcase the wide range of homes we can create for our clients.
Our Marguerite street project showcases a more traditional aesthetic, with it’s stunning columns and Tudor-peaked laneway house. If this classic elegance is your style, then our team may be the perfect match for your project. Our head architect John Henshaw is a master of this style, and has been designing traditional homes all across Vancouver for over 3 decades.
Would you like to see more? Check out these traditional homes our firm has built:
Our more contemporary Puget II project demonstrates our versatility and ability to deviate from our traditional roots and iterate in a more modern space. With the renaissance in West Coast Modern homes popularity, you may be looking for a team who can execute this exterior design style with ease. We at JHA are confident we can do the job, and we have the portfolio to prove it.
Looking to update your outdoor space? We’d love to help design your dream patio.
Lets brainstorm together!
Call the office at 604-264-1072 or email info@jhainc.ca to set up a consultation.
This elegant craftsman style home exudes west side luxury. The third-floor attic and front porch were designed in keeping with the overall neighbourhood character. We took advantage of this corner property’s potential by creating an extensive garden. Horizontal fences visually elongate the property size and create a serene atmosphere, contrasting the overall height of the home. The exterior cladding material uses locally quarried stone, cedar shingles and clear grade Douglas fir. With a colour palette inspired by the coastal landscapes, the home consists of ocean blues, and greys, balanced by lush greens and sandy beiges.
Kitchen & Family Room
The homeowners decided to forgo a formal dining room and maximized their expansive floor area. With this space we were able to create a large kitchen, eating area, and family room. An office and a living room were still necessary as our clients work mostly from home. Additionally a formal sitting area for client meetings was also requested. The kitchen is divided into three zones – the cooking zone, with bright west exposure, separated by but visually connected to the rest of the kitchen, the prep zone to oversee all activities, and the serving zone by the dining area.
Office & Workspace
In addition to luxuriously sized bedrooms and ensuites for the 2nd level, the attic space was created as a man cave that can also function as a spare bedroom. Other than a legal one-bedroom basement rental suite, the large rec room has a custom bar designed for entertaining. Two separate HRV systems have been set up for the main house and the basement rental unit to ensure the health and air quality of the occupants. The majority of the lighting throughout the house can be digitally controlled through handheld devices. Customization includes dimming and scheduling for user comfort and energy savings. For longevity and energy savings, most of the lighting, including architectural recessed and concealed lighting, has been specified as integrated LED, the balance of luminaires utilizes LED bulbs.
Are you looking to start an architecture project in Vancouver? We’d love to help make your dream home a reality. Contact the office at 604-264-1072 or email info@jhainc.ca to set up a consultation today.
The property is located in an older neighbourhood in Vancouver. Homeowners specifically requested the architectural design should blend with the neighbouring architectural characteristics. The architecture paid homage to the estate homes in the nearby First Shaughnessy District. As a firm we have designed several homes in the greater Shaughnessy area, and also on Nanton Avenue, which is why we dubbed this project the Nanton II Residence.
Interior Design
The interiors, however, are decidedly more contemporary. The layout has been custom designed for a multi-generation home. Multiple zoned areas such as a dedicated reading cove and tv room are designed to accommodate all members of the family and their busy activities. The L-shape kitchen, nook and dining room keeps the kitchen activities within arm’s reach but the main cooking activities further away. The basement mudroom also acts as a dirty entry. A floor height mop sink is installed for cleaning sports equipment and muddy boots. A professional-grade theatre, an exercise room and a large rec room are all havens for relaxation and entertaining.
Custom Touches
Extensive built-in millwork is seen throughout this home. In the kitchen, custom vanities for all bathrooms, tailor-made master furnishing, basement office and laundry room. Natural materials including oak, walnut and marbles are specified extensively in this home. 12 mm porcelain countertops with European laminated millwork in the kitchen for ease of maintenance and their clean lines. Detailed attention is paid to contrast soft and hard textures with metal and glass accents.
Both fireplace mantles in the main floor living room and basement rec room are hand-trolled finished with traditional Venetian plaster. Layered dropped ceilings with architectural recessed LEDs and concealed linear LEDs are designed for visual interest and accommodate a complicated HVAC system. Iconic decorative luminaires are used as visual anchors for each area.
Backyard Space
As the house sits quite far back from the street on the southside due to municipal bylaw requirements, the backyard design takes advantage of the changing slopes of the land, creating a layered effect. Strategically placed planting and garage position provide shading and privacy for this outdoor oasis. The outdoor BBQ area, under the covered porch, is equipped with a good-sized gas grill, a sink and countertop prep space and located immediately outside of the main kitchen for easy cooking access and serving to both interior and exterior seating areas.
The exterior seating area takes advantage of the shading, privacy and quietness afforded by the garage and parameter mature trees. Architectural concrete with broomed finished was selected for its simplicity and ease of maintenance. Patterned saw-cut lines carefully laid out for visual interest and to prevent cracking. The heat retention thermal mass quality also extends the useful seasons of the outdoor space. In the evenings, this outdoor space is discreetly illuminated by architectural recessed LEDs and “Dark Sky” compliant landscape lighting, creating a quiet and relaxed environment and reduced light pollution from neighbours and the environment.
Inspired by Nanton II? Let’s talk!
Are you looking to start an architecture project in Vancouver? We’d love to help make your dream home a reality.
Contact the office at 604-264-1072 or email info@jhainc.ca to set up a consultation today.
Want to see more images of this project? Nanton II
Want to see more projects like this? Check out the following projects which also embody the essence of Shaughnessy:
Our lead architect, John Henshaw, wanted to create a classic Traditional Shaughnessy Residence which paid homage to the unique residential style of estate homes in Second Shaughnessy. He accomplished this by using the corner exposure of the property and surrounding mature landscape, which balances feelings of luxury, and lush West Coast wilderness.
Traditional Shaughnessy Details
The stately façade of the home was inspired by the extensive collection of Craftsman and Victorian-style homes throughout Vancouver. To reflect the style of a traditional Shaughnessy residence our team opted for fish-scale shingles, Tudor trim boards, pebble-dashed stucco, stone lintel header over windows, and a substantially sized front porch. We combined all of these elements to create the grand appearance our client aimed for.
We blended existing mature trees with newly planted greenery showcases stunning seasonal colours. The landscaping also creates a perfect frame for the home’s architectural features. Installing a small pond by the back yard pathway created lovely sounds and visual interest.
Marguerite Residence by JHA | Hot Tub
The Back Yard
Our team determined perfect placement for a resistance pool and hot tub on the south side for sun exposure to extend the usable season. Both the hot tub and the pool have their own in-ground automatic covers. This was done to increase their energy-efficiency and safety.
Intentional placement of the garden room next to the garage means pool users have quick access to the changing and shower area. The planting area was strategically positioned at side yards in front of the garage/garden room and back of the pool area for visual interest and to soften the hardscape. We used glass handrails for basement access to minimize backyard visual obstruction. The entire property was hedged and fenced for both privacy and security.
Curious how we achieve back yard excellence in a more contemporary project? Check out our Puget II Residence.
A Traditional Veranda
Thanks to local bylaws we were able to design a 30-foot long veranda. It was outfitted with ample lighting and a built-in sound system for all-season usage and enjoyment. This veranda also provides easy viewing access to the pool area to keep watch on children playing in the pool.
Bi-folding doors were strategically placed by the main kitchen for indoor-outdoor access. The outdoor barbeque and dining area is accessible with a pair of French doors which provide seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining.
As part of the backyard patio set above the cellar living space, 2″ thick, large format porcelain tiles on pedestals have been specified overall with cast-in-place concrete borders around the pool, basement well, and planting area. The porcelain tiles are frost proof, easy to maintain, and provide easy access for waterproofing below. The tiles can also be replaced by pieces as required.
