Pivot Studio

What began as a simple idea to build a backyard music studio evolved into something far more dynamic.

Cozy corner in a Smallworks laneway house featuring a mustard accent chair with a throw blanket, a guitar, minimalist decor, and a view of an outdoor patio with bamboo planters and a dining set.
Close-up of natural wood flooring and stairs in a Smallworks laneway house, with warm sunlight creating soft shadows on the surface.

Initially, the family planned to construct a garage. However, after exploring their options and costs, they discovered that a laneway home was comparably priced and offered significantly greater long-term value. With teenagers in the house who could one day live there, frequent visits from out-of-town friends, and the potential for rental income, the laneway home presented an exciting opportunity to enhance their space.

Smallworks image
Bright and modern living room interior of a Smallworks-designed laneway house, featuring a plush cream sofa, a wooden coffee table, a built-in bookshelf, and a black wood stove, with sunlight streaming through the open door.
Built-in wooden shelving with stylish decor and hidden storage in a Smallworks laneway home, offering a blend of form and function.

Pivot Studio makes the most of its limited footprint.

A sleek display shelf adds character while offering much-needed storage, and the custom stoop at the entrance doubles as extra seating during jam sessions—creating a perfect blend of comfort, utility, and, as always, beauty.

Close-up of a modern kitchen in a Smallworks-designed laneway house, featuring green lower cabinets, white countertops, and soft evening sunlight illuminating the space.
Green kitchen cabinetry with brass knobs in a Smallworks laneway home, showcasing sleek and functional design.

Designed with functionality and creativity in mind.

Smallworks image
A modern bathtub with sleek black tiles, featuring a built-in storage niche holding soap and shampoo, and a white shower curtain adding contrast.
Bright and airy loft bedroom in a Smallworks laneway house, featuring a comfortable bed with green bedding, plaid pillows, bedside tables with lamps, and sloped ceilings with natural light from windows.
Open and bright loft area in a Smallworks laneway house, featuring sloped ceilings, a narrow window, light wood flooring, and minimalist decor with a potted monstera plant and a white cabinet.

Specifications

Year Built2024
Home size610 sqft
Floors1.5
Bedrooms1
Bathrooms1
Lot size33' W × 122' D
Smallworks Image
Smallworks Image
Smallworks Image
Bright and modern living room interior of a Smallworks-designed laneway house, featuring a plush cream sofa, a wooden coffee table, a built-in bookshelf, and a black wood stove, with sunlight streaming through the open door.
A modern bathroom featuring a sleek white vanity, a black tiled bathtub, wooden floating shelves, and stylish accessories in a minimalist design.
Outdoor patio of a Smallworks-designed laneway house, featuring a modern dining table with gray chairs, bamboo planters, and a wooden privacy fence, illuminated by soft evening sunlight.

Pivot Studio Floor Plan

Download Floorplan PDF
Floorplan

See what you can build.

Bright and airy living room in a Smallworks laneway house featuring a textured cream sofa, wooden coffee table, built-in bookshelf, and sliding doors leading to an outdoor patio with dining furniture.

More Projects