Photo: Lucy Call © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary galley concrete floor kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

The renovation of our Renfrew Residence completely reimagined what we expected from a classic Vancouver Special home. The boxy shape of Vancouver Specials was a result of maximizing floor space under the zoning guidelines of their time. Builders in the 1960s and 1980s saw an opportunity and made the most of it! Today, renovating these homes are a common and rewarding project for Design Build firms. We love transforming Vancouver Specials because they have a lot of versatility and great foundations! Our Renfrew Residence is a great example of how all the common modernizations of a Vancouver Special are even better with Design Build. To begin, we gave this home a more modern layout. We opened the walls upstairs, expanded the master bathroom, and gave the home an overall open feeling. In order to do so, we restructured and moved some of the walls.

Set against the rolling Kerrville landscape, the home’s metal roofing system blends modern performance with a natural Hill Country aesthetic. Long rooflines, matching chimney treatments, and concealed fasteners support rainwater harvesting requirements while staying true to the community’s design guidelines. The workmanship reflects the same consistency and discipline our teams bring to high-end builds across Central Texas, including projects held by our San Antonio roofer crews who have been working diligently without ever shifting focus from the homeowner’s design goals.

We designed and built a handicap accessible bathroom that looked like it belonged in a traditional home environment. We worked closely with the homeowners, including a Korean War veteran, to learn what their needs were and seamlessly applied those needs to the rules and guidelines of the American Disabilities Act to successfully exceed their expectations. Working with The Veterans Administration gives us an opportunity to use our talents and abilities to give back to those who gave so much for the freedoms we take for granted every day. Please remember to thank the vets you may encounter in your daily ventures and travels for their service.

Soundview Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary gray two-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Seattle

The renovation of our Renfrew Residence completely reimagined what we expected from a classic Vancouver Special home. The boxy shape of Vancouver Specials was a result of maximizing floor space under the zoning guidelines of their time. Builders in the 1960s and 1980s saw an opportunity and made the most of it! Today, renovating these homes are a common and rewarding project for Design Build firms. We love transforming Vancouver Specials because they have a lot of versatility and great foundations! Our Renfrew Residence is a great example of how all the common modernizations of a Vancouver Special are even better with Design Build. To begin, we gave this home a more modern layout. We opened the walls upstairs, expanded the master bathroom, and gave the home an overall open feeling. In order to do so, we restructured and moved some of the walls.

Warm, transitional kitchen with clever storage features. The complete look of this large kitchen is nothing but perfect! Each drawer, cupboard, appliance, and decor is placed in such a way that is function and design worthy.

This project proved that a certified Passive House can have the same combined mortgage and energy costs as a conventional house: monitored heating costs are only $200 per year. The integration of Lifetime for Homes guidelines make this house accessible for people of varying physical abilities and will allow our clients to stay in their home as they age. A small solar panel can provide 55% of all hot water, further lowering energy bills. Hawkins House is both LEED GOLD and PASSIVE HOUSE certified. Photo Credit: Jarrell Whisken

This project proved that a certified Passive House can have the same combined mortgage and energy costs as a conventional house: monitored heating costs are only $200 per year. The integration of Lifetime for Homes guidelines make this house accessible for people of varying physical abilities and will allow our clients to stay in their home as they age. A small solar panel can provide 55% of all hot water, further lowering energy bills. Hawkins House is both LEED GOLD and PASSIVE HOUSE certified. Photo Credit: Jarrell Whisken

The proprietary design of LUXE wedgewire grates provides hydraulic function that is unsurpassed, making them an optimal choice when separating wet areas from dry. All LUXE Linear Drains are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities Section 4.5.4 specifies that ground and floor grates “shall have spaces no greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) wide in one direction.” We are pleased to provide grates that comply with these requirements so no individual is limited from accessing the area safely and confidently.

The proprietary design of LUXE wedgewire grates provides hydraulic function that is unsurpassed, making them an optimal choice when separating wet areas from dry. All LUXE Linear Drains are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities Section 4.5.4 specifies that ground and floor grates “shall have spaces no greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) wide in one direction.” We are pleased to provide grates that comply with these requirements so no individual is limited from accessing the area safely and confidently.

Note: Siding was painted to match the house after photos were taken. We designed and built a handicap accessible bathroom that looked like it belonged in a traditional home environment. We worked closely with the homeowners, including a Korean War veteran, to learn what their needs were and seamlessly applied those needs to the rules and guidelines of the American Disabilities Act to successfully exceed their expectations. Working with The Veterans Administration gives us an opportunity to use our talents and abilities to give back to those who gave so much for the freedoms we take for granted every day. Please remember to thank the vets you may encounter in your daily ventures and travels for their service.

This project proved that a certified Passive House can have the same combined mortgage and energy costs as a conventional house: monitored heating costs are only $200 per year. The integration of Lifetime for Homes guidelines make this house accessible for people of varying physical abilities and will allow our clients to stay in their home as they age. A small solar panel can provide 55% of all hot water, further lowering energy bills. Hawkins House is both LEED GOLD and PASSIVE HOUSE certified. Photo Credit: Jarrell Whisken

This project proved that a certified Passive House can have the same combined mortgage and energy costs as a conventional house: monitored heating costs are only $200 per year. The integration of Lifetime for Homes guidelines make this house accessible for people of varying physical abilities and will allow our clients to stay in their home as they age. A small solar panel can provide 55% of all hot water, further lowering energy bills. Hawkins House is both LEED GOLD and PASSIVE HOUSE certified. Photo Credit: Jarrell Whisken

When you’re partnering with an experienced ADU contractor in La Habra Heights for a new ADU design & construction, it is quite possible to get the project delivered before schedule. It is because it has a team of specialized engineers & architects that help build a new dwelling unit from scratch, by following the construction guidelines. Home and ADU Remodeling in La Habra Heights, CA - https://www.eleganteconstruction.com/

A ground-level view featuring Adirondack seating framed by large-format concrete slabs and artificial grass inlays, creating a comfortable poolside gathering area that is visually striking, durable, and compliant with Oak Ridges landscape coverage guidelines.

This project proved that a certified Passive House can have the same combined mortgage and energy costs as a conventional house: monitored heating costs are only $200 per year. The integration of Lifetime for Homes guidelines make this house accessible for people of varying physical abilities and will allow our clients to stay in their home as they age. A small solar panel can provide 55% of all hot water, further lowering energy bills. Hawkins House is both LEED GOLD and PASSIVE HOUSE certified. Photo Credit: Jarrell Whisken

When you’re partnering with an experienced ADU contractor in La Habra Heights for a new ADU design & construction, it is quite possible to get the project delivered before schedule. It is because it has a team of specialized engineers & architects that help build a new dwelling unit from scratch, by following the construction guidelines. Home and ADU Remodeling in La Habra Heights, CA - https://www.eleganteconstruction.com/

The Modern exterior look blends cultured stone, wood grain metal siding, fiber cement accent panels and trim for a contemporary look. Your neighbors will be talking about it - for all the right reasons.