Renovation · North Vancouver
Deep Cove Heritage Renovation
Location
North Vancouver
Year
2024
Size
3,100 sq ft
Duration
10 months
About This Project
Respecting what was. Creating what could be.
The 1932 craftsman cottage at the heart of Deep Cove had housed the same family for three generations before the current owners — a couple returning from a decade in London — decided it was time for a sympathetic transformation. The brief was precise: honour the original character, remove nothing that didn't need to go, and bring the systems into the 21st century.
Our renovation team began with a thorough condition assessment that saved the original old-growth fir floors throughout the main level. The floors had been covered in carpet since the 1970s; uncovering them was the single most dramatic moment of the project. We stripped, refinished, and revealed 90-year-old boards in near-perfect condition.
The addition — a 600 square foot light-filled kitchen extension — was designed to read clearly as new construction while respecting the cottage's roofline and material language. A thick band of West Coast cedar cladding ties the old and new together. The junction between 1932 and 2024 is precise, intentional, and honest.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
The existing structure contained knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos insulation in the ceiling cavities, and a foundation that had settled unevenly over 90 years. Discovering the extent of the remediation work required mid-project pivoting without blowing the budget.
Solution
A thorough pre-construction investigation — including an intrusive survey that opened walls in 12 locations — gave us a near-complete picture before shovels hit the ground. The contingency budget was allocated by priority tier rather than as a lump sum, allowing us to manage surprises without replanning the entire project.
Photography
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