Several Kerr Design Build construction workers install a large steel beam in the frame of a Kitsilano house under renovation. Exposed wooden beams and tools are visible, with sunlight streaming in and highlighting a backyard with trees.

Go “Behind the Curtain” of a Kerr Design Build Renovation in Kitsilano

ByKerr Design Build
Event flyer titled Behind the Curtain offers an exclusive look at renovation craftsmanship in Kitsilano, hosted by Kerr Design Build. Join us Saturday, August 23, 11 am–2 pm, at 3732 W 1st Ave.
Click to Reserve Your Tour

On Saturday, August 23, Kerr Design Build is inviting the public to come inside one of our most exciting ongoing projects, a full-home expansion and transformation including the addition of a 1,325 square foot  laneway house, located in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood.

Just a few blocks from Jericho Beach at 3732 W 1st Ave., this renovation combines character home preservation and city housing expansion with modern living, all wrapped into one ambitious build. 

It is a unique opportunity to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how such a renovation is done.  You can reserve a spot on our tour easily.

Incredible home transformation

The project began with a modest goal of modernizing the interior, but quickly evolved into a comprehensive renovation and expansion. 

We added 600 square feet to the main house while building a completely new two-bedroom laneway home in the rear. The entire interior of the existing house has been gutted with a full re-imagining of the interior spaces.  

Project renderings (click to fullsize)

  • A two-story Kerr Design Build house with a steep front staircase, white and grey exterior, dark trim, and large windows, set on a grassy Kitsilano lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
    Front Exterior
  • Modern open-concept living room by Kerr Design Build features beige walls, wood accents, circular seating, armchairs, bookshelves, and large windows opening to a deck. A renovated kitchen with wood cabinets is visible in the background.
    Living room
  • Modern open-concept living and dining area by Kerr Design Build, with a round table set for four, gray chairs, a vase with flowers, wooden floors, a bookshelf, staircase, and warm lighting—perfect for stylish Kitsilano living.
    Dining room
  • Modern Kitsilano kitchen by Kerr Design Build features wood cabinets, white countertops, and an island with four barstools. Pendant lights hang above, while a bowl of apples adds color—an inviting space after a stylish renovation.
    Kitchen
  • A modern, well-lit hallway renovated by Kerr Design Build features wooden floors and a glass-paneled staircase. Two people in suits stand talking at the top, with contemporary artwork on the wall and a stylish kitchen in the background.
    Stairwell
  • Modern Kitsilano bathroom renovation by Kerr Design Build features double sinks, a large mirror, two windows, a vanity with chair and mirror, freestanding tub, wall-mounted towel warmer, and glass shower in neutral tones. Skylight brings in natural light.
    Ensuite
  • Modern bathroom renovation by Kerr Design Build in Kitsilano features a wooden vanity, black countertop, rectangular mirror, two wall sconces, toilet, small window, and neutral gray textured walls. A vase with dried plants accents the space.
    Powder room
  • A modern entryway by Kerr Design Build features wooden cabinets, coat hooks holding jackets, and shelves with neatly arranged shoes, leading into a bright Kitsilano hallway with wooden stairs and light-colored flooring.
    Vestibule
  • Modern outdoor patio by Kerr Design Build in Kitsilano, featuring cushioned seating and a wooden coffee table with candles and fruit, surrounded by plants. Glass doors open to a warmly-lit renovated living space with shelves and dining area.
    Rear deck
  • Modern two-story house in Kitsilano with wood and white exterior, a balcony with a person leaning on the railing, large windows, and a wooden privacy fence lined with greenery. Renovation by Kerr Design Build. Blue sky with clouds overhead.
    Back & Laneway House

    • At the front of the house, we’ve rebuilt the entry entirely. What used to be an open porch has been enclosed to create a new interior vestibule. In front of that, we’ve added a new covered porch to welcome guests and provide space for outdoor seating. This change not only improves functionality, but also enhances the home’s presence from the street. 

    Inside, the transformation continues with a much larger kitchen now relocated to a new rear extension. The kitchen is now over fourteen feet wide and nineteen feet long, and opens toward a new great room that combines dining and lounging areas. Though open in feel, the layout maintains defined spaces with partition walls that balance flow with privacy. One thoughtful detail is that when you’re seated at the dining table, you won’t be staring at a cluttered kitchen island, yet the entire space still feels generous and connected.

    Throughout the main floor, you’ll find evidence of careful planning and custom features. A favourite of the homeowner, who comes from a publishing background, is the inclusion of built-in bookshelves and a cozy reading nook. This nook is designed with seating and shelving on both sides so that books are not just displayed outward into the room, but also surround the reader on the left and right. 

    Upstairs, the bedrooms remain mostly where they were, but a new walk-in closet was added to the primary suite by extending slightly at the rear. The bathrooms were reconfigured to improve flow and functionality. 

    In the basement, while the design was kept modest, new flooring is being installed to maintain quality throughout. A storage room has also been converted into a private sauna, requiring structural changes to open up access from the laundry area. It’s a quiet luxury tucked into the lower level that speaks to the personalized nature of the build.

    Stunning laneway house addition

    Behind the main house, the new laneway home is designed to be spacious, bright, and unobtrusive. With vaulted ceilings in both bedrooms and a roofline that slopes away from the main house, the laneway fits beautifully into the rear yard without overwhelming the space. 

    The home features an open-plan kitchen and living area, a powder room, and thoughtful storage touches throughout. Upstairs, the two bedrooms are generously sized, and the unit includes a rooftop deck with privacy screens and space for lounging and dining. A dedicated laundry area opens directly onto the deck. Even the garage was designed to maintain flow, sitting slightly higher on the lot to align with the lane. The entire structure was slightly sunk into the ground to reduce visual bulk when viewed from the main house and deck.

    Construction Photos (click to fullsize)

    • A house under renovation by Kerr Design Build is seen behind a red construction fence in Kitsilano, with a wooden walkway to the front steps. Signs display construction safety rules and the yard appears dug up and unfinished.
    • A two-story Kitsilano house under renovation, with its front facade partially removed and wooden framing exposed. Construction materials and scaffolding by Kerr Design Build are visible, with trees and neighboring houses in the background.
    • A two-story house under renovation by Kerr Design Build features exposed plywood walls, black roofing material, and scattered building supplies in the yard on a sunny Kitsilano day. Trees and power lines are visible in the background.
    • A two-story house under renovation in Kitsilano, wrapped in plywood with exposed framing and unfinished windows. A red metal fence surrounds the site, where a Kerr Design Build banner hangs. Tall trees rise in the background.
    • A Kitsilano house under renovation by Kerr Design Build features exposed wooden beams, open walls, and scattered tools. Sunlight streams in through large openings overlooking a backyard with green trees and a blue sky.
    • An unfinished Kitsilano attic with exposed wooden beams, studs, and rafters. Electrical wiring and ductwork are visible, with scattered debris on the wooden floor. Natural light enters from the left side—ready for renovation by Kerr Design Build.
    • Interior of a Kitsilano house under renovation by Kerr Design Build, featuring exposed wooden framing, tools, and construction materials scattered on the bare concrete floor as sunlight pours through unfinished windows.
    • Several Kerr Design Build construction workers install a large steel beam in the frame of a Kitsilano house under renovation. Exposed wooden beams and tools are visible, with sunlight streaming in and highlighting a backyard with trees.

    Preserving the community character

    Throughout the project, we’ve worked carefully with the City of Vancouver to maintain the character home designation while maximizing allowable space. Retaining the original structure gave us access to additional density, which allowed the design to stretch in creative and functional ways. Dormers were added to the roof to bring light into the upper level, and their inclusion was carefully justified by showing similar examples in the neighborhood, preserving the visual identity of the block.

    Open House on August 23

    Now, before the walls are closed up and the finishes go in, we’re inviting you to see the project in a rare and revealing state. 

    On Saturday, August 23, the site will be open for a special walk-through event, where you can observe the exposed framing, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work that form the backbone of every high-quality home. These are the parts most people never get to see, but they are where true craftsmanship lives.

    Whether you’re planning your own renovation or simply curious about how things come together behind the scenes, we invite you to join us and experience how Kerr Design Build brings vision and quality to life—right from the inside out.

    Date and time

    Saturday, August 23 · 11am – 2pm. Opens at 10:45am

    Location

    3732 W 1st Ave

    Reserve Your Tour