In Depth Case Studies

1106 Ironwork Passage

Overview

• Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Building type(s): Multi-unit residential
• Renovation of a 1974 building
• 1,030 ft2 (95.3 m2)
• Project scope: 5% of a building
• Urban setting
• Completed November 2002

This renovation of a conventional garden condominium addressed the radical lifestyle change when "empty nesters" move from a house to a condominium. The object of the renovation was to retain the grace, spaciousness, and functionality of the clients' former 3,000 ft2 suburban house in only 1,100 ft2.

The 30-year-old, ground-level condo is located on Vancouver's South Shore False Creek seawall. One of 24 units in a wood-frame, three-story, "stacked townhouse" complex, the condo includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The renovation followed the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's guidelines for protecting occupant health, achieving accessibility, and allowing occupants to age in place.

Environmental Aspects

The unit was gutted and completely replanned to maximize natural ventilation, daylighting, indoor air quality, and occupant health. Energy Star(r) appliances were installed throughout. The existing baseboard heating system was supplemented with a high-efficiency gas fireplace. The built-in custom millwork was entirely sourced from local Douglas fir. Light-colored finishes and compact fluorescent lighting enhance the condo's sense of openness and spaciousness, giving the unit the feel of a much larger home. Although landscaping was not part of the contract, the clients worked on the 200 ft2 private garden area themselves, planting native and edible plants and eliminating turfgrass.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Hanvey, Individual(s)
• Typically occupied by 2 people, 130 hours per person per week; and 6 visitors per week, 4 hours per visitor per week

Dr. and Mrs. Hanvey are semiretired "empty nesters" with a passion for entertaining. Their grown children all live close by, and grandchildren often spend the weekend.

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Living quarters (100%)
Outdoor Spaces:	Garden—decorative (100%)

Keywords

Integrated team, Operations and maintenance, Indigenous vegetation, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Passive solar, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, Adaptable design, Durability, Benign materials, Local materials, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Ventilation effectiveness, Thermal comfort, Low-emitting materials

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