Paul had called his neighbourhood home for 44 years. "It’s a great place to live," he shared, reminiscing about the familiar streets, friendly neighbours, and ease of a calm, walkable community. Yet, like many homeowners, he wondered if there was a better way to make use of his life-long property investment.

For years, he’d followed the work of Smallworks, intrigued by the idea of building a laneway house. But the dream remained just that. Life, however, has a way of setting things in motion. When Paul’s daughter and her family returned to Vancouver from living abroad in England, apartment living quickly proved less than ideal. "She hated it [...] the neighbours were awful,” Paul said simply. Paul offered for them to move in with him, as he had more house than he could manage, but it quickly became apparent that they all needed more room. It was then that the seeds of his long-held dream began to take root.

What started as a vague idea “ to make use of the land a little bit better”—soon became a clear solution. With two young children, Paul’s daughter and her husband needed more space, and Paul himself saw an opportunity to stay close to his family while embracing a more manageable lifestyle.

"I wanted my family close to me," Paul admitted. "As a parent, your instinct is to protect your kids. And in this town, with the affordability crisis, younger couples can’t have what we grew up with."

The decision to build a laneway home allowed Paul’s family to stay together in a city where staying connected often feels impossible. While his daughter’s family moved into the main house, Paul settled into the newly built laneway home.

Paul’s laneway house is more than just a clever use of property; it’s a solution to modern challenges that many families face. "I’ll have my own space," Paul explained, "but I can also share their lives. We’ll have meals together, I can take them to school and daycare, and I get to babysit from time to time so my daughter and her husband can go out and have some fun." The house represents the balance of independence and togetherness that so many families crave.

There’s also an unspoken beauty in sharing the rhythms of daily life. Watching his granddaughters grow up in the same neighborhood where his own children once went to school is a privilege Paul doesn’t take for granted. "That’s worth gold, really," he said.

While Paul’s story may seem like a fairy tale, taking this laneway home from conception to reality was no act of magic. Our team was there to roll up our sleeves and bring this backyard cottage to life. "They were very receptive to my input," Paul noted. "We were heavily involved in the design, the floor plan, and picking colours. They offered great advice, and the workmanship was excellent."

“ I couldn't be happier, really. They're experts. Smallworks knows what they're doing.”

What seemed like a large undertaking, and remained as a plan for the distant future for many years, turned out to be remarkably stress-free. "They take all the headaches away," Paul said, referring to everything from permits to organizing trades. For someone like Paul, who wanted to focus on family rather than logistics, the support was invaluable.

Paul’s story is a reminder that home isn’t just a physical space; it’s a foundation for connection, security, and legacy. He created a home that supports his family’s needs now and will continue to do so in the years to come.

In an ever-changing city, Paul’s laneway home is a testament to what’s possible when creativity, practicality, and a sense of purpose come together. For those seeking a solution to their own housing challenges, his story offers a simple but profound truth: sometimes, the answers we’re looking for are right outside our back door.