White House Reimagined

A contemporary single-family home defined by clean white forms, thoughtful detailing, and a seamless connection between interior and exterior living. This custom build balances modern restraint with warmth, creating a highly functional family home rooted in light, proportion, and craftsmanship.

Napier – Exterior Windows 2
Napier – Exterior Windows 6
Napier – Exterior Front 3
Napier – Exterior Back Patio 1
Napier – Exterior Laneway 2
Napier – Exterior Laneway 3
Napier – Exterior Laneway 7
Napier – Exterior Windows 10
Napier – Exterior Front 8
Napier – Exterior Front 14
Contemporary interior featuring a straight-run staircase with dark wood treads, a simple wood handrail, white walls, and a clean hallway with polished concrete flooring.
Contemporary staircase featuring rich wood stairs, a minimalist wood handrail, and a steel industrial-style guard rail, leading up to a bright, light-filled landing.
Close-up of an industrial-style interior stair rail featuring a Corten metal panel with a diagonal cut, exposed vertical metal support, and a circular black detail, framed by clean white walls.
Bright primary bedroom featuring a low-profile bed, soft neutral bedding, polished concrete floors, and sliding glass doors opening to a private patio.
View from the bedroom into a modern ensuite featuring a custom vanity, wall-mounted faucets, polished concrete floors, and soft white finishes.
Contemporary bathroom featuring a freestanding soaker tub, custom wood vanity with integrated drawers, white quartz countertop, wall-mounted faucets, and soft grey floor tile.
Bright modern bathroom featuring a freestanding soaker tub, glass-enclosed shower, wall-mounted fixtures, and soft neutral wall tile.
Napier – Kids Bedroom B 4
Napier – Kids Bedroom A 11
Napier – Kids Mezzanine 10
Napier – Kids Mezzanine 4
Napier – Kids Bathroom 1
Napier – Kids Bathroom 3
Napier – Kids Bathroom 4-Edit
Napier – Laundry 5
Napier – Main Floor 70
Napier – Kitchen 5
Napier – Kitchen 7
Napier – Kitchen 8
Napier – Kitchen 30
Napier – Kitchen 27
Napier – Closing Doors 1
Napier – Closing Doors 2
Napier – Closing Doors 3
Napier – Main Floor 49
Napier – Main Floor 52
Napier – Main Floor 46
Napier – Main Floor 74
Bright open-concept kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry and quartz counters, polished concrete floors, large sliding glass doors, and expansive North Shore mountain views.
Napier – Main Floor 40
Napier – Main Floor 34
Napier – Main Floor 32
Napier – Main Floor 29
Napier – Kitchen 12
Napier – Kitchen 20
Napier – Kitchen 24
Napier – Balcony 4
Napier – Closing Doors 12
Napier – Closing Doors 11
Napier – Closing Doors 10
Narrow powder room featuring a wall-hung toilet, concealed cistern cabinet, soft grey floor tile, and crisp white finishes.
Lower-level staircase featuring solid wood treads, a minimalist wood handrail, a metal guard rail, white walls, and a bright landing leading to the entry door.
Wood stair landing illuminated by a skylight, featuring potted plants in textured planters, white walls, and warm wood flooring built in Vancouver, BC.
Bright loft workspace featuring a custom wood desk, warm wood flooring, indoor plants, sloped ceiling with skylight, and a large sliding glass door opening to a private balcony.
Modern loft office with sloped skylights, warm wood flooring, indoor plants, and expansive views toward the North Shore mountains.
Private rooftop patio with large-format pavers, modern outdoor lounge chairs, planter boxes, and angled rooflines creating an outdoor retreat.
Modern rooftop terrace featuring large-format pavers, angled architectural rooflines, glazing, and a glass door connecting to a bright loft interior.
Sloped loft windows framing North Shore mountain views, with a telescope positioned near the glazing and soft daylight filling the space.

Project Features

  • Standing Seam White Metal Roof
  • Oversized Metal Clad Windows
  • Corten Steel Guard Rail
  • Adjoining Kid's Loft
  • Rooftop Deck

Work Description

With everyday living in mind, this custom single-family home balances modern design with flexibility, and family functionality. A crisp white exterior and sculptural rooflines set a contemporary tone, while durable materials and deep overhangs ensure the home performs comfortably in Vancouver’s changing seasons.

The interior is bright, open, and welcoming. Polished concrete floors flow throughout the main living level, grounding the space while large windows and sliding doors invite natural light inside. At the heart of the home, the kitchen is both practical and social—featuring a generous island, partitioned play area, and a seamless connection to the dining area and outdoor deck for easy entertaining.

Flexible living spaces were thoughtfully designed to support a growing family. Custom sliding wall panels allow rooms to transition easily from open gathering areas to quieter, more private spaces as needed. The upper loft was planned as a home office with direct access to a rooftop deck, offering both separation and flexibility. A sculptural stair—crafted in walnut and paired with an art-like Corten steel guardrail—leads down to the bedroom level, where warm wood detailing, skylights, and carefully framed views create a sense of calm and retreat. The primary bedroom and ensuite are intentionally separated from the children’s rooms by a hallway leading to the main bathroom, while the kids’ bedrooms share a playful, hidden connection through their individual loft spaces.

Every detail was selected to support long-term living—from durable finishes and efficient layouts to indoor-outdoor connections that encourage time spent together. The result is a modern home that feels calm, adaptable, and deeply livable—designed to evolve with the family for years to come.

About the Location -East Vancouver

Located on the edge of one of East Vancouver’s established residential pockets-Grandview-Woodland, this home sits within a close-knit, walkable neighbourhood known for its mature trees, family-oriented streets, and strong sense of community. The area reflects a thoughtful mix of long-standing homes and carefully designed contemporary builds, creating a setting that values both heritage and forward-looking design. Proximity to parks, schools, and Hastings Park (PNE) made this an ideal location for a multi-generational family home—one that remains deeply connected to its surroundings while confidently expressing a modern architectural identity.

Challenges

The project presented a unique set of challenges, beginning with the need to coordinate decision-making among four distinct stakeholders, each with their own priorities and long-term needs. Careful planning and clear communication were essential to align expectations and maintain design cohesion throughout the process. Adding further complexity, the two homes required different mechanical systems tailored to their respective uses and occupants, demanding thoughtful integration and coordination across trades. Constructing two fully serviced residences on a standard city lot also required precise sequencing, efficient use of space, and close collaboration with consultants to ensure both buildings functioned independently while reading as a cohesive, well-considered family property.

Pricing Adjusted for Current Year

$1.8M Plus GST

Approximate Duration – 24 months

Property unoccupied during construction

Our clients are a professional couple with young children who envisioned a home designed not only for their immediate family, but for generations to come. Built on a family-owned lot in Vancouver, the project thoughtfully accommodates aging parents living in a separate laneway house, allowing for connection, independence, and long-term flexibility. From the outset, the goal was to create a modern, highly functional home that supports evolving family needs—one that balances privacy and togetherness while laying the foundation for a lasting family legacy.

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