Reason to Love Vancouver #6: Because Our Vancouver  Specials Are Really, Well, Special

Our region may be celebrated for its West Coast modern architecture, but Vancouver Specials are an equally prominent part of our built environment. More than 10,000 of these humble, stucco-clad family homes were constructed between 1965 and 1985, but clever renovations continue to keep the typology relevant.—S.M.

Midcentury Marvel by One Seed Architecture and Interiors

“In honour of the things that make Vancouver Specials so identifiable, we kept the brick cladding on the lower level and painted it and the stucco a slate colour to tie the stucco and brick together, while emphasizing the textural difference between materials. The bold material palette includes corrugated steel siding in a charcoal colour; bright merlot-red powder coated steel plate panels; white-washed horizontal cedar siding spaced to create dark reveals between boards; and guardrails made from industrial metal grate panels, which provide privacy.” —Allison Holden-Pope, principal

Classic Charm by Jamie Banfield Designs

“We painted the house white, which worked well with the different materials, like stucco, siding and brick. We typically mix textures, finishes and colours, but for this project, we wanted to embrace the texture while maintaining a light, bright and timeless look—so one solid colour was the fix. Gone are the frosted brown glass door and outdated balcony. We replaced the former with a sleek, classy door and transformed the balcony with new glass railings to bring in a modern touch.”—Jamie Banfield, principal

Minimalist Glam by Kalu Interiors

“We wanted to achieve definition of spaces while not forfeiting sightlines, light and visual connection. A slatted wall was used to partition the dining room and hallway, helping to define these areas while not closing them from one another. Custom millwork and built-ins maximize the use and storage within the space, such as a built-in banquette at the back of the home on the upper level, creating the perfect area to work as a family.”—Aleem Kassam, principal

Effortlessly Elegant by AK Design

“The overall layout of the home remained largely intact, with a few minor tweaks that made a world of a difference. The star of the show, as it pertains to the original structure, was by far the curved staircase. The existing staircase was preserved but received updated railings and finishes to align with the new design.” —Annaliesse Kelly, principal

Find more Reasons to Love Vancouver here.