Vancouver Skinny
Vancouver, BC
In-permitting 2022
The story for these new dwellings begins four decades ago with the purchase of the lot and starter home for our client, who had moved to Canada from South Africa. A grown family later, they embarked on redeveloping the 25-foot wide by 175-foot long site to make an impact on the need for affordable housing in the city.
MOTIV was tasked to create three suites within a 3,400 square foot area, and maintain the possibility to strata the site. Concerned about the needs of aging populations, there was also a desire to create at least two fully-adaptable units.
The resultant design sets up a dialogue between the principal residence and suite in the front and the smaller dwelling on the rear of the site, with the upper forms of both dwellings stepping away from the shared rear yard. Simple gable roof forms and overhangs provide shelter while maintaining privacy to the neighbouring homes. The rear suite is one of several on the laneway block that now form a cluster of alley-oriented homes.
The client is a structural engineer, making this project a collaboration between the MOTIV team and these committed city dwellers.