Industrial Modern

Winner of the 2023 CHBA National Awards for Housing for Best Basement Renovation!

Exterior view of a Vancouver home showing new basement
Front view of a Vancouver home
Glass exterior with reflection of modern kitchen interior
Spacious open kitchen featuring a grand butcher block island with view of sunken patio.
White hallway featuring wood stairs with sleek metal railings.
Basement stairway featuring clean white walls and recessed lighting.
Basement living area with exposed wood joists and wall bookshelves.
Basement with TV and kitchen area, concrete floors, and exposed joist ceiling.
Kitchen with butcher block island, exposed joists, and view of sunken patio.
Basement with bright built-in kitchen and shelving and large wood/metal clad patio doors.
Dining area in Vancouver home with concrete floor, wood frame, and glass patio doors leading to sunken patio.
Modern living space with concrete floor, wood ceiling beams, and glass patio doors to walk-out patio
Dining nook with pendant lighting, patio view, and exposed wood beams above.
Dining eating area with pendant light, exposed wood ceiling beams, next to walk-out patio.
Open dining room with concrete floor, exposed wood ceiling beams, and patio access.
Split view of sunken patio and dining area
Bright dining space with pendant light, concrete floor, and oversized wood/metal patio doors.
Contemporary dining nook with modern furnishings, concrete floor, and exposed joists.
Kitchen with butcher block island, white cabinetry, shelving, and patio doors.
Full basement view with concrete floors, white cabinetry, open shelving, exposed joists, and steel beam for industrial aesthetic.
Kitchen with wood butcher block, white walls, open shelving, and modern faucet.
Cozy living space with concrete floor, sectional sofa, and framed wall art.
Kitchen with large butcher block island, white cabinetry, concrete floor, and exposed joists.
Kitchen featuring butcher block island, white cabinetry, built-in fridge, stove, and exposed joists.
Sleek, modern kitchen with butcher block island, white cabinetry, built-in fridge, stove, concrete floors, and exposed beams.
Minimalist kitchen with butcher block island and built-in range.
Living room with smooth concrete flooring, white walls, and clean modern lines.
Living room with exposed wood ceiling beams, concrete floors, and a large window.
Living room featuring exposed wood ceiling beams, concrete flooring, and built-in fireplace.
Contemporary living space with exposed wood ceiling joists.,
Vancouver basement living room with concrete floors, built-in fireplace, and recessed lighting.
Modern fireplace set into white wall with clean lines and minimalist detailing.
Living room with concrete floors, built-in fireplace, and white walls in minimalist design.
Living area with exposed wood ceiling beams, polished concrete flooring, and open-concept layout.
Minimalist bathroom featuring white square tiles, built-in sink, and window bringing natural light.
Bathroom featuring shower with white grid wall tiles, built-in vanity, and modern fixtures
Bathroom with shower featuring white square tiles, built-in vanity and modern faucet
Bathroom featuring shower with white grid wall tiles, built-in sink, and industrial wall-mounted lighting.
Vancouver Industral Home Design with exposed wood ceiling beams, concrete floors, and built-in shelving wall.
Living space with exposed wood ceiling beams, full wall of built-in shelving, and minimalist design.
Open dining area with exposed wood ceiling beams and large glass doors opening to sunken patio.
View from from dining area to walk-out patio and garden.
Sunken patio enclosed with vertical wood siding, accessible from living space, with surrounding landscaping.
Contemporary sunken patio featuring a wood privacy wall and access from the interior living area.
Sunken outdoor patio with wood fencing, barbecue setup, and entry from main living space.
Exterior view of modern Vancouver home featuring sunken patio and full-height glass doors leading to basement living space.
Interior view showing open-concept layout with exposed wood ceiling beams and large glass doors.
Evening exterior view into industrial design living space.
Exterior view into home showing sunken patio with wood privacy wall and full-height glass doors.
Exterior view of home with large glass doors opening onto sunken patio with private lounge.

Transforming the basement suite into the main living area allowed our clients to stay in the neighborhood they love so much. Bedrooms, an office, and a bathroom remained upstairs, while the basement became the home’s hub. A sunken patio off the kitchen enhances indoor-outdoor living, and lowering the floor grade—made possible by engineered drainage—ensured a dry space year-round.

The home embraces an industrial aesthetic with steel beams, exposed joists, and concrete floors. Efficient wood/metal-clad windows bring in natural light, while the kitchen features a sleek white perimeter and a butcher block island as its centerpiece. The open-concept layout seamlessly connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas, keeping activity downstairs while the upper floor remains a tranquil retreat—ideal for a busy family.

“Smithwood Builders did a phenomenal job renovating our home. They took our fairly dark basement and turned into a bright and beautiful living space where our family now spends tons of time. They were responsive and great at communicating. We would highly recommend.”

Industrial Modern Client

Project Features

  • Sunken Patio
  • Open Concept Floor Plan
  • Grand Butcher Block Island
  • Exposed Joist Ceiling
  • Oversized Wood/Metal Clad Patio Doors

Work Description

To bring in more natural light and enhance the indoor-outdoor connection, extensive excavation work was done to create a sunken patio. This new outdoor space seamlessly integrates with the basement through large openings, making the lower level feel bright and inviting.  Steel beams and columns were strategically introduced to support the structural modifications, replacing traditional load-bearing walls. These elements not only provide the necessary strength but also contribute to the home’s industrial aesthetic—a key design choice for this renovation.

Exposed steel beams and columns, along with open joists, define the raw and contemporary character of the space. Polished concrete floors enhance the industrial feel while offering durability and easy maintenance. The contrast between the structural steel, warm wood accents, and modern fixtures creates a balanced and inviting atmosphere.

By reclaiming the basement suite, a reimagined space was created as the heart of the home. The space now features a modern kitchen, dining area, and family room, making it a perfect gathering place for daily life and entertaining. A newly designed bathroom completes the transformation, adding convenience and functionality to this revitalized level.

With its seamless blend of industrial style and practical living, this renovation redefines how a basement can be used—not just as an extra space, but as an integral and vibrant part of the home.

About the Location - Vancouver

The neighborhood around 33rd Avenue and Fraser Street in Vancouver is a lively and evolving area with a strong sense of community. Known for its mix of older character homes and newer developments, it attracts families, artists, and young professionals alike. The area features a blend of local businesses, cozy cafés, and diverse eateries, reflecting the multicultural fabric of East Vancouver. With nearby parks like Grays Park and easy access to transit, it offers a balance of urban convenience and residential charm.

Challenges

The floor grade was lowered to gain more headroom, a process that required precise engineering to ensure structural integrity. This presented challenges such as managing soil stability, reinforcing the foundation, and addressing potential water infiltration risks. To overcome these issues, the engineering team designed an interior drainage system that seamlessly integrated with the perimeter drainage. This system was essential in preventing moisture buildup and ensuring a completely dry basement, even during the wettest seasons. Additional obstacles included navigating existing utilities and maintaining proper load distribution to prevent settlement or structural shifts.

Pricing Adjusted for Current Year

$650K 

Approximate Duration – 8 months

Property occupied during construction

Our clients wanted a home that functioned better for their growing family and suited their lifestyle. While they needed more space and a more efficient layout, moving wasn’t an option—they loved their Vancouver neighborhood too much. The community feel, walkability, proximity to schools, parks, and local shops all played a role in their decision to stay and renovate rather than relocate.

To make the most of their existing home, they chose to reclaim the basement suite and reimagine the floor plan to better fit their needs. Working with D’Arcy Jones Architects, they achieved a unique and thoughtful design that kept the most active spaces—like the kitchen and living areas—on the ground floor with direct access to a sunken patio, perfect for indoor-outdoor living. The upper floor now housed the bedrooms and an additional office, creating a functional and personalized layout that allowed them to stay in the neighborhood they love.

D'Arcy Jones Architects

Completed Projects
Smithwood Builders
info@smithwood.ca
604.789.2359
1907 Rockcliff Road
North Vancouver, BC
BuiltGreen BuiltGreen Havan Homebuilders Association Vancouver Leed AP BD+C Canadian Home Builders' Association British Columbia Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist Project Management Institute Netzero Home