East Vancouver Chalet

A stylish laneway house with warm cedar siding, a black-framed window, and a gabled roof. A landscaped front yard, wooden fence, and concrete walkway create an inviting entrance.

Rest, presence, reflection, shelter.

These were words commonly scattered throughout the incredible email chain between the clients and our team. The clients live in the EU, but used to day dream about a pied-a-terre in Vancouver. With an extended family member who owned a lot in East Vancouver, the path forward was clear; plans for a laneway house began to take shape.

A large picture window in a cedar-clad laneway house, offering a view of a cozy interior seating area with a rocking chair and neutral décor. Small shrubs line the exterior landscaping.
Modern living room in a Smallworks laneway house featuring a freestanding fireplace, large windows, concrete floors, and a colourful rug. A wooden staircase is visible on the right.
A stylish laneway house with warm cedar siding, a black-framed window, and a gabled roof. A landscaped front yard, wooden fence, and concrete walkway create an inviting entrance.

The lot sits on a corner in one of those tight-knit blocks where everyone knows each other.

This sense of community influenced the choices made for the exterior elements—striking a balance between quaint and sophisticated, welcoming yet private, with a touch of warm minimalism.

Modern dining space in a Smallworks laneway house featuring a freestanding fireplace, large windows, concrete floors, and a colourful rug. A wooden staircase is visible on the left.

One of the biggest challenges during the build was preserving the immaculate garden that had existed long before the laneway house.

The homeowner took great care to save a variety of plant specimens for replanting, many of which can now be seen thriving in the finished space.

A stepping stone pathway leading to a laneway house entrance, surrounded by green plants and flowers. A person wearing black boots and jeans walks along the natural stone pavers.

Specifications

Year Built 2021
Home Size707 sq ft
Floors1.5
Bedrooms1 + den
Bathrooms1
Lot Size39.5 x 112 ft
A contemporary kitchen with floating wood cabinets, a grey stone countertop, and a black matte faucet. A horizontal window allows natural light, while a simple wooden shelf adds warmth and functionality.
Modern, all-white kitchen in a Smallworks laneway house. Features flat-panel cabinets, integrated appliances, a black framed window, and concrete floors.

Inside, the galley kitchen—often known for feeling cramped—feels surprisingly open thanks to white cabinetry and open shelving along the east wall. Sleek concrete surfaces and integrated appliances keep the space clean and modern.

A minimalist loft space with sloped ceilings, two large skylights, and a black-framed window. The room features white walls, light hardwood flooring, and a small storage door.

Thoughtful details like solid oak window casings, a waterfall-style stair edge, and a high-efficiency wood-burning stove by Stûv add warmth and character to the home.

Looking down a modern, light-filled staircase in a Smallworks laneway house. The stairs are wood with a light finish, and the walls are white. A plant and artwork are visible at the bottom of the stairs.
Bright and modern bathroom in a Smallworks laneway house. Features a white bathtub, subway tile surround, a black framed window, and a dark floor.
Modern bathroom vanity in a Smallworks laneway house featuring a grey countertop, light wood cabinets, a rectangular mirror, and black hardware.

East Vancouver Chalet Floor Plan

Download Floorplan PDF
Floorplan

See what you can build.

A contemporary laneway house with vertical cedar siding and black-framed windows, featuring a gabled roof and sustainable materials. Overhead power lines and a utility pole are visible in the foreground.

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