Dating back to 1910, the house has undergone a transformative renovation in several phases by Measured Architecture (architecture project) and Paul Sangha Creative (landscape architecture project). While preserving the historic charm of the original structure, a new, modern steel-clad cubic structure intertwines harmoniously with the past. Collaborative efforts have created an area similar to a botanical garden, establishing a fluid flow between the interior and exterior spaces. A nature walk then links the veranda of the main house, the swimming pool and the pool house. The result is a sustainable and harmonious sanctuary where architecture and landscaping complement each other perfectly.

Harmonising history with modernity, the team's phased approach revitalised a classic 418 m2 house - a timeless quadrangular design. Measured Architecture perfectly balanced heritage preservation by completing the interior first, allowing the clients to enjoy their home while rejuvenating the landscape. Four bedrooms skirt a central staircase, providing views from the front to the back of the structure. The historic charm of the front façade has been proudly retained, and, at the same time, innovative contemporary interventions have redefined the back of the house, reinforcing the perfect fusion between tradition and avant-garde design.
An interior wall has been replaced by an open atrium that spans all four levels of the house. It features an uninterrupted strip of glass that unifies the rear façade and transforms into a wall of illuminated lanterns at night. During the day, this strip floods the house with natural light and allows views from the front door to the back courtyard via a contemporary four-storey steel staircase.
In contrast to preserving much of the original exterior appearance of the main house, the cornerstone of the project's second phase was a modern, steel-clad cubic structure. The upper part houses a two-car garage and a wall-mounted bicycle storage system. Below, the pool house stands out as a modernist geometric form angled perpendicular to the infinity pool's edge. The upper exterior of the structure is clad in mirrors, which not only camouflages the vehicles parked inside the garage but also effectively multiplies the lush plants in the backyard. Black solar panels have been integrated into the top of the structure to heat the pool throughout the four seasons.

A landscape vision inspired by the lakes and oceans of the Pacific Northwest
"Our goal was to create a series of diverse zones that coexist harmoniously under a unified design concept," says Paul Sangha, principal landscape architect and founder of Paul Sangha Creative. These zones include formal plantings that align with the neighbourhood's heritage design guidelines, a sports field area and a pavilion for leisure, a walkway that connects the veranda to the garage, a tranquil poolside lounge space and a walkway that leads to a play structure and the pool house, all nestled in a wooded area.
Inspired by the serene colours of the lakes and oceans of the Pacific Northwest, the landscape architecture studio carefully selected a colour palette that would exude harmony throughout the property. Adopting neutral materials allowed the gentle landscape to have a stronger visual impact.
"The existing vegetation is preserved and enhanced with a variety of indigenous plants, adopting the principles of rewilding wherever possible to minimise water consumption, the use of pesticides and the need for fertilisers while promoting ecological balance," says Paul Sangha.

A successful project recognised as a benchmark
Praised as a project that did all the right things to preserve an existing historic house while transporting it into the future, this house has become a benchmark project in Vancouver. It was awarded a Special Jury Prize from the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) for Heritage Conservation and Modernisation.