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A red line forms an L-shape, with a vertical line rising from the left side of a horizontal line, forming a right angle. The background is white.Kerr Design Build Logo
SENIOR DESIGNER

Leo Chester

Custom Homes & Renovations · Vancouver, BC

29 years designing custom homes and contemporary interiors across Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Greater Vancouver — including 15 years in independent practice across the UK and Canada.

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Contemporary custom home design concept by Leo Chester, Senior Designer at Kerr Design Build — Port Moody BC

Design Philosophy

Leo’s starting point is always the site — its potential, its character, its relationship to the people who will inhabit it. Before a single line is drawn, the question he asks is: how can this be made better? And just as importantly: what would make someone feel something the moment they arrive?
Leo believes great residential design must deliver on three things simultaneously: it must be structurally sound, it must function beautifully for the people inside, and it must offer something that elevates everyday life — a quality of light, a connection to the outdoors, a detail that makes you pause. That balance is what he works toward on every custom home and renovation in Vancouver.
WORKING WITH LEO

How Leo Works With Vancouver Homeowners

Leo starts by discussing what works and what doesn’t work in the existing space — getting to the heart of the project before setting pen to paper. He walks the property with you to gain first-hand insight, and shares visual references from Pinterest and Houzz early on, to establish a sense of your personal taste without expending time from the design budget.


From there, client priorities are established clearly: what compromises, if any, are acceptable — and what are the must-haves? Leo’s experience across nearly 30 years has shown him that carefully selected finishes and products, detailed correctly, can look superb without excessive budgets. His approach works whether your ambitions are adventurous or purely practical — and everywhere in between.


What he brings to every project is originality, thoughtfulness, and an attention to detail that only comes from decades of designing homes and interiors. His goal is straightforward: to exceed expectations.

— Le o Chester, Senior Designer · Kerr Design Build

“Great design asks one question, over and over: how can this be made better?”

CREDENTIALS & EXPERTISE

Contemporary Home Design in Vancouver — Designed With Purpose

Leo Chester holds a Degree and Masters in Design from the University of Sheffield, UK, and has been a certified designer in both the UK and Canada for nearly three decades. His 29-year career spans contemporary interiors, community masterplanning, boutique hospitality, and large-scale custom homes — including the Alberta Pavilion for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

At Kerr Design Build, Leo focuses exclusively on custom homes and significant home renovations across Greater Vancouver. His design sensibility is unambiguously contemporary — not because it’s fashionable, but because he believes homes should be a product of the age we live in. He’s particularly passionate about how contemporary design can sensitively enhance heritage and character homes, creating buildings that honour their context without imitating it.

His approach avoids design trends entirely. Instead, every decision is driven by the specifics of the site, the client, and the project — seeking out what is unique and what has the potential to be genuinely outstanding.

Loftus Residence waterfront home design concept — three-storey custom home Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
FEATURED WORK

Projects Designed by Leo Chester

The Waterfront Residence open-plan living and dining area with waterfront view — custom home design concept Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build

The Waterfront Residence — Burrard Inlet, BC

A new-build three-storey waterfront home currently in design development in Port Moody. Designed for a steep, challenging site overlooking Burrard Inlet, the home is envisioned to celebrate the view with a vaulted main living level, expansive glazing, warm wood details, concrete elements, a glass elevator, and a full-height courtyard bringing natural light into the lower levels.

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Open-plan kitchen renovation with stone island and sculptural staircase — The Point Grey Home, character home renovation West Point Grey Vancouver BC, Kerr Design Build

The Point Grey Home, West Point Grey, Vancouver, BC

A full home renovation in one of Vancouver’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, nestled in West Point Grey near Kitsilano. Designed to feel genuinely contemporary — walnut millwork, a waterfall stone island, bespoke integrated cabinetry, and carefully layered lighting throughout. A complete interior transformation across every room and living space, where nothing was left unconsidered.

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OUR DESIGN TEAM

MEET THE TEAM AT

KERR DESIGN BUILD


Kerr Design Build design team — Jaycie Dotin, Steven Butler, Ximena Jimenez and Leo Chester, custom homes and renovations Vancouver BC
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1676 W. 75 Av.
Vancouver, BC V6P 6G2 Canada
T: 604-263-0343
E: info@kerrdesign.build

Licensed Residential Builder with Provincial Homeowner Protection Office

© 2026 Kerr Design Build. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Projects
      • A two-story Craftsman Revival home in green, featuring a porch and balcony, boasts large windows and a lit staircase welcoming guests. Surrounded by trees and a brick pathway, this Dunbar Custom Home rests elegantly against a backdrop of a cloudy sky at dusk.
        Dunbar St.
      • A bright kitchen with a wooden dining table, chairs, and a modern light fixture. The kitchen features a large island, hanging pendant lights, a range, and a brick backsplash. A plant decorates the table, and sunlight streams through a window.
        Adanac St.
      • A two-story blue craftsman-style house with a white balcony and trim. It has a welcoming front porch, large windows, and a blue front door. Surrounding the house are tall trees and a small garden with plants lining the walkway.
        Point Grey Road
      • An indoor/outdoor lap pool with bright blue water is nestled in a modern room with concrete walls and ceiling lights. Towels are neatly placed on a shelf to the left, while a potted plant adds greenery. Steps gracefully lead into the pool, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.
        Shaughnessy Indoor/OutdoorPool
      • Bright living room with large windows and a beige sectional sofa. A carved wooden coffee table is in front, with books on a side shelf. In the background, theres a dining area and a modern kitchen. Neutral tones and natural light fill the space.
        Woodhurst Burnaby
      • A modern two-story house with large windows and a balcony on the upper floor. The lower level has a patio with a hot tub. Surrounded by trees, the setting is peaceful and natural, with outdoor seating visible.
        Harbour Deck Addition
      • A two-story house with gray siding and white trim, featuring a large front porch and steps leading to a wooden door. The yard is landscaped with grass and a pathway, and the house is bordered by a wooden fence.
        W. 16th Ave.
      • Modern kitchen with a large island, hanging pendant lights, and white cabinetry. Glass cabinet doors reveal dishes inside. Wooden floors and a patterned rug complete the look in this perfect home. A door with frosted glass is seen to the left.
        W. 39 St.
      • Bright living room with two cushioned chairs and a wooden coffee table displaying a white orchid. A dark wood cabinet complements the decor, hinting at an elegant renovation. Large windows with blinds let in natural light, while framed pictures adorn the walls and wooden floors gleam below.
        Blenheim St. Basement
      • A bright kitchen in a Heritage Home showcases a white farmhouse sink beneath double windows. Light gray cabinets and a marble backsplash are featured, alongside wooden shelves adorned with plants and bowls, completing this charming interior makeover with sleek stainless steel appliances.
        W. 21 St.
      • Modern two-story house with wood and gray paneling, surrounded by trees. A swimming pool is in the foreground, and a patio with an outdoor seating area is visible to the right.
        Crescentview North Vancouver
      • A two-story modern house with a dark exterior and white trim. It features a garage, a prominent white door, large windows, and a tall tree in front. A wooden fence encloses part of the property.
        West End Vancouver Laneway House
      • A two-story house with a modern design featuring a mix of brick and metal paneling. A prominent orange front door is accessed by steps flanked by greenery. Tall trees and a clear blue sky are in the background.
        W. 4th Ave.
      • Modern two-story house with large windows and beige exterior. The backyard features a swimming pool with a small waterfall, surrounded by patio furniture and an umbrella. Lush greenery is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
        West Vancouver Custom Home
      • A modern, two-story house at dusk with illuminated windows and stairs. The front porch features glass railings, plants in pots, and soft lighting on the steps. Trees and a clear sky are visible in the background.
        North Vancouver Home Renovation
      • A modern living and dining area with a coffered ceiling. It features a wooden dining table with a floral centerpiece, a chandelier, a beige sofa with colorful cushions, two armchairs, and a window view. The room has dark wood flooring.
        Shaughnessy Heritage Home Renovation
      • Modern two-story house with warm exterior lighting. Features include large windows, a wooden front door, and a stone accent wall. The yard is landscaped with grass and small shrubs. The sky is overcast, suggesting early evening.
        1940’s Bungalow Reno
      • A two-story suburban house with a gray exterior, large windows, and a central dark front door. The yard is small, featuring a path flanked by bushes, with a surrounding black metal fence.
        Mackenzie Heights

  • Portfolio
      • Modern two-story house featured in our portfolio with illuminated exterior lights highlighting stone and white panel walls. Large windows showcase warm indoor lighting. A well-maintained lawn and pathway lead to the wooden front door, set against the evening sky.
        Exteriors
      • A modern kitchen with light cabinetry, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a center island featuring a dark sink. Colorful floral rugs adorn the floor like pages from a design portfolio, while fresh flowers in a vase add a touch of nature.
        Kitchens
      • Modern bathroom with a large window view of a marina. It features a double sink, a freestanding white tub, wooden cabinets with folded towels, and a vase with purple flowers on the countertop.
        Bathrooms
      • A bright, modern living room features a large beige sectional sofa, wooden side table, and decorative carved coffee table. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a lush outdoor view like a live portfolio of nature. A kitchen with a dining area is visible in the background.
        Livingrooms
      • A modern bedroom with open glass doors leads to a spacious balcony featuring lounge chairs and a scenic view of the water, as though nature curated its finest portfolio. The room has wood flooring, a large bed, and artworks on the wall. A stone chimney is visible outside.
        Bedrooms
      • A modern outdoor patio showcases yellow cushioned seating around a central rectangular fire table atop a blue patterned rug. Glass railings frame the scenic view, revealing trees and distant mountains beneath a partially covered roof with skylights—a true portfolio of elegance and comfort.
        Outdoor
      • Modern living room featuring a large white sectional sofa, marble fireplace, and mounted TV that showcases a stylish portfolio of decor. Shelves with curated items flank the fireplace. A round coffee table rests on a gray rug, while a large window offers ample natural light.
        3D Renderings
      • Modern black bathtub faucet with a handheld shower head, set against a large window. Sunlight filters through trees outside, illuminating a small green plant on the wooden ledge—a perfect scene for any home decor portfolio.
        Details
      • A modern bathroom featuring a freestanding bathtub perfectly positioned to showcase a marina view. Wooden shelves with neatly stacked towels adorn the right, and a wide countertop with dual sinks on the left completes this elegant portfolio of design. Light gray floor tiles enhance the sleek look.
        Before & After Photos
      • A two-story suburban house with a modern design, featuring large windows and a central dark door. The light-colored exterior resembles an artful portfolio, complete with a chimney on the left. A small front yard with shrubs and a pathway leads to the entrance.
        Before & After Videos
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