Category Archives: Design

On the drawing board: horse barn retrofit

As many green building and conservation professionals agree that ‘the greenest building is the one already standing’, it was a logical choice for these environmentally minded soon-to-be grandparents to convert their old horse barn into a secondary residence for their … Continue reading

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Niagara Market & Apartments

The Niagara Market building in Victoria, BC has been amazingly transformed! When Seamus McKeating & Jennifer Gunter bought the building a little over a year ago it needed an overhaul. We tossed around ideas on how to refresh the building … Continue reading

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Multi-functional Building

These just in! 24×32′ multi-functional building nestled in the trees on the slopes of Kootenay Lake. One open space under a timber roof, with a porch, garage doors and a view of Kootenay Lake. Job well done by Shawn Handley … Continue reading

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Power Generating Gym

Recently I designed this Gym for a couple of professional athletes that had moved from Calgary, where they lived around the corner of one the biggest work-out centres in North America, to Kaslo (pop. 1000) with only one small fitness centre – and it’s … Continue reading

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Kaslo Passive House Construction II

Kaslo Passive House construction has reached lock-up – the house in enclosed. The walls are up, the roof is on and the doors and windows are installed. The house is weather tight – Let winter come! South facade with lots of windows. South-west … Continue reading

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Kaslo Passive House Frame Raising

The construction of Kaslo Passive House is well under way! The frame is raised and the walls are being build. A huge Thanks to Daphne Hunter for taking these pictures!    

Posted in Passive House, Passive Solar Design, Small House Design | 4 Comments

Kaslo Water Street Plan Approved

At last weeks’ council meeting (Dec 10, 2013), the above redevelopment plan of Water Street has been approved. Curb and paving is set to happen in 2014, walkway and landscaping the next year. Council had asked me to modify option … Continue reading

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Smart Stairs

Recently I had the pleasure to return to a set of stairs I designed about 7 years ago, when I just started out with my own design studio. Then the Cathro family, expecting their first child, wanted to create a … Continue reading

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Build a Pallet House

For those of you who are looking to build a small shelter inexpensively, here is a site with complete plans for a tiny pallet house. Designed for emergencies, it would work for the long term, too, if you take enough … Continue reading

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Kaslo Water Street Plans

Last week the Water Street Committee presented the Water Street Report to Village Council. The report contains two plan options for the upgrading and beautification of that portion of Water Street between 4th and 5th street, including the portion of … Continue reading

Posted in Landscape Design, Uncategorized, urban design | Tagged , | 1 Comment