Remodelling Apt/Lofts In Vancouver

Posted on: July 7th, 2010 | 44 Comments

This is Day 169 of the Slow Home Project and we need you to join us in our quest to evaluate the design quality of houses in nine North American cities in nine months. This week we are analyzing apartment/lofts in Vancouver. In today’s design exercise we are going to be redesigning an apartment in New Westminster BC.

It’s Wednesday on the Slow Home site and that means its your turn to transform the floor plan of a badly designed apartment/ loft project into a Slow Home!

Today’s plan is “Unit C” in the “Inter Urban” condominium project in New Westminster – which is within the Greater Vancouver region. The unit is 741 square feet and has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.

There are several design problems with this unit, including:

  1. The storage closet and laundry area is not functional and too large.
  2. The entry and dining spaces could be better.
  3. There is a lot of wasted space in front of the bathroom.
  4. The bathroom door opens directly onto the main living space.

We need you to re-work this floor plan and post it to the site along with your comments about your personal design strategy – we will be reviewing all the submissions and posting the best ones on Friday!

Your plans needs to include the following:



  1. A re-designed kitchen area.
  2. A better front entry space with a closet.
  3. A simple, but re-located bathroom.
  4. A better designed laundry area.
  5. A well designed dining space.

You will get bonus points if you are able to include a study space – its a very tight squeeze so be creative!

Day 169 – PDF
Day 169 – Existing
Day 169 – Demo
Day 169 – Full Symbol Library

When you are ready, click on the player below to see John’s tutorial and his design strategy for this apartment/ loft plan!

See John's Final Design

Make sure to watch tomorrow for our “In Detail” episode where we will be focusing on study spaces in apartment/ loft projects!

  • BradW

    Eric – the posted files do not match the design project…

  • Paul C
  • Matthew North

    Apologies everyone – we will post the correct floor plans shortly.

  • BradW

    [img]crev1.png[/img]

    OK, I confess I watched John present his solution. I did this initially because, as noted, the correct design files were missing and I did not have much time today. Unfortunately, it then became a challenge to do something different from John.

  • BradW

    Thanks to PaulC for the link to the floorplan…

  • BradW

    [img]crev2.png[/img]

    Sorry…just got a better idea for the entry closet orientation…

  • Mid America Mom

    Hello! Today’s issue made me review the symbol library. Since Terri and I (and I am sure others) use paint and not a cad type program we have to rely on the library.

    Can we possibly add the TV, a dishwasher, a chest of drawers/dining side piece that is like 3 by 1.5/8 feet?, and the angled living chair into the library?

    Would greatly appreciate it!

    Mid America Mom

  • Terri

    M.A.M.
    Thank you for making your request. I’ve noticed that many are posting plans that look so much cleaner than ours because they’ve got these great symbols at their disposal. I know that John and Matthew don’t mind if we just sketch instead, which I did last week, but when I do use Paint, I’d like to be able to do so with the same symbols that others have (I’d like to add the square bathroom sink to the list).

    Or, if a cool Paint symbol library is asking too much…Does anyone know how we could create a permanent symbol library by borrowing from others? I’ve tried to copy others’ files to keep the angled chair on hand, but they get messed up somehow and don’t translate (the size is off when I try to cut and paste).

    Any advice is most appreciated!

  • Terri

    [img]vanapt.jpg[/img]

    I wanted to offer some storage, so I opted to separate a closet into a washer/dryer section and storage section. I drew in a rod on the storage side, but that’s only to show possibility. Shelves or just open space are other options.

    The bathroom is tucked back into the corner, accessible from bedroom or main area by walking past the desk alcove. I envision an obscure glass panel wall on either side of this desk.

    The living and dining are unchanged in position. The kitchen is a truncated U-shape, but it’s fairly open to the living views.

    The entry closet is not huge, but there’s room for a raincoat or two. The all-important umbrella stand has a place at the entry. :)

  • Paul C

    Terri and M.A.M. ,
    Not sure if anyone wants to take a run with this program or if it is possible to take the file format that John and Matthew post and import into sketchup. From what I hear though after a few goes at it, the program is user friendly. As an added bonus I believe 3D models can be created. I have not had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in sketchup, (one day when I have time) but from those I know who have, they like it quite a bit. V7 is free :-)

    http://sketchup.google.com/download/

  • BradW

    MAM and Terri – I use Paint and share your pain. Usually I work from the existing rather than the demo plan and just move around the existing objects. For example, in my plan above I simply flipped the bathroom and rotated the kitchen. If you have Visio you can use it to augment your work with furniture and landscape objects. Visio objects can be scaled to the desired size and rotated to any angle. Another thing, when I look at something I have done and it looks awkward, messy or complicated, it usually means it can be improved and simplified.

  • nicole

    [img]1_pp1model.jpg[/img]

    this also looks very similar to John’s solution…

  • ReneP

    [img]unit72v2.jpg[/img]

    Ok, here is my redesign of this apartment. Basic changes were to remove the storage room and laundry. I replaced that space with a larger u-shape kitchen that opens to a free counter on the left side. The bathroom was reconfigured with the door to it opening directly to the bedroom. Between the bath and bedrooms I installed the laundry in a small closet at the end of the wall. The entrance closet was moved and shares the wall for the fridge. Those were the major changes. Minor changes were done with furnishing, such as a bookshelf to provide the outer bathroom wall with something of interest. Additionally, I added a desk to the left of the couch, placing it near the patio for good light and a free feel. I know I eliminated any storage space, but I do feel the apartment works better this way.

  • Tiffany

    [img]169vancouverappartment.jpg[/img]

    Wow, that was really a challenge to get a study in as well. In order to make it happen I have kitchen seating and no actual dining room.

  • Therese

    [img]day169redesignfloorplanfinal.jpg[/img]

    Uh oh lol, mine looks similar to John’s. XD But I just spent a good while on this and have no time to make it different. Here goes.

  • Tiffany

    [img]symbols.jpg[/img]

    I truly admire anyone who does there plans in Paint, I could not image.
    I do not know if this will help at all, but I have attached some of the symbols that I use to do my plans. If they work to bring into Paint (or what ever other program you use) and you need something else let me know and I can likely pass it on to you.

  • Manolo

    [img]2_mytry.jpg[/img]

    Here my revisions. I chose to create a dining space that is an extension of the kitchen island. The island also has a closet built into it as a piece of millwork for front door. I placed a desk at the end of the kitchen cabinets to help shield the private areas. A small key shelf is also at the front to throw your things instead of on the kitchen counter.

  • Manolo

    Paul C,

    I agree. Google sketchup can work very well. For anyone interested in testing this out: to make things easier, I recommend that you change your view from perspecive to parallel projection. This is under the Camera menu. My favorite part of this program (version 7) is the snapping!
    While I am lucky enough to have both Adobe Illustrator and AutoCAD to help me, these programs are very expensive (an investment made long ago now!) and Sketchup is actually a very good alternative (and free!!).
    Lol – no I do not work for Google!

  • Kyle B

    [img]1_final.jpg[/img]

    My plan turned out the way it did based on two rules I set for myself:

    1. Dining must be next to outdoor patio.
    2. Bathroom must be easily accessible from bedroom (ie. as much as possible, without having to pass through other rooms).

    Though the living room turned out small with this organization I feel it suits my taste. I chose the double doors and single door for the laundry room and coat closet, respectively, because I am not a fan of bi-fold doors. I allowed 3 feet of clearance between counters in the kitchen. Is this sufficient? Either way it would not be a hindrance to change.

  • Kyle B

    I noticed many people chose to include the storage space that was in the original plan. Just thought it would be worth noting, for my plan, that a storage space could be included in the laundry room if the washer and dryer were stacked!

  • Ashley P

    [img]1_unitc.jpg[/img]

    This proved much more difficult than I imagined!
    I decided to give the front hall a bigger coat closet so that it would open up that space in front of the door to make the entry feel a little bit more roomy. Seeing the laundry room couldn’t exactly fit a full door I decided to put in those divider doors that fold in on themselves. The small space surrounded by the three doors might help divide the bathroom from the dining room and give more of a segregated feeling. I wish I could have put the study near some natural light but unfortunately that proved to be too difficult. The bedroom is fairly large so if more room was needed for the laundry room this floor space could be gained by reducing the bedroom perhaps.

  • Ashley P

    Wow. Looking at John’s and everyone elses I can’t get over how many different ways this could have been done.

  • Manolo

    [img]2_mytry2.jpg[/img]

    After thinking about it, I thought that it was a bit strange (and annoying) for someone to try and work in the kitchen without disturbing the person at the desk. So I pulled the island away from the end wall, added a shallow piece of millwork for a pantry/broom closet/etc. and moved (and shrunk) the closet to where the key shelf was. As for the place to put the keys, a small notch could be detailed into the shallow end wall millwork.

  • Amanda

    [img]designproject1edited.jpg[/img]

    I feel like this is the best that I can do for redesigning this apartment. I am not 100% happy with the study as is receives no natural light, but I couldn’t find a better place for it seeing as the apartment is so small. I like the new entry and I think the kitchen is in a good location I am just uncertain as to whether there should be an Island or not; I had trouble relating the scale and couldn’t tell if it would fit. I like the laundry area better because it is out of the main circulation but there is still a bit of a hall or area in front of it to allow for an efficient work space.

  • Hilda

    [img]vancouverapartment.jpg[/img]

    Okay, here’s my take! Quick confession, I looked towards John’s design for some ideas.
    A small 1/4 circle-shaped table is used as the key table. The wall to the living room is extended further to provide some privacy to the bedroom. Washroom faces away from the living area of the unit. overall, kept the unit flow as open as possible, since the previous was crowded with useless space that can be put to better use.
    The unit can be said is an very interesting challenge I look forward to when everyone posted up their redesign! ;)

  • Kcull

    [img]july7.jpg[/img][img]1_july7.jpg[/img][img]2_july7.jpg[/img]

    Its my first attempt so please pardon the imperfections. I created a hall closet and then made an L-shaped kitchen without an island to save space. The bathroom and kitchen are tucked away on the side with close proximity to the bedroom.

  • Terri

    BradW, PaulC, Manolo and Tiffany;
    Thanks for the great advice and the symbol set too. Looks like this old dog is due to learn some new tricks! Now, is there a better way to get those big, clear images? I’ve been selecting my final plan and inflating by 150%, but it’s not actually translating to this site very well–looking muddy and small.
    Thanks again!

  • Jamie L

    [img]project.jpg[/img]

    I just made one storage place where can be use as laundry room. I always want the bathroom beside the bedroom, or near the dining I put book shelve perpendicular to the bathroom wall to make some section between them.

  • Franco

    [img]1_franco.jpg[/img]

    So here’s my take on it. I tried to make a study area near the bedroom and as open a kitchen as possible. On the side of the washer/dryer unit, I have a bookcase/ storage unit which faces onto the kitchen.
    In the study space, I tried to make it as large as possible, with possibly bookshelves on the wall of the back of the bedroom closet.

  • Tayler

    [img]taylercaseyfloorplan1.jpg[/img]

    After contemplating many different floorplans, I’ve settled on this one. This was really tough. The W/D could be placed a little better but I’m unsure as to where in relation with the rest of the floorplan. I also like idea of using the bookshelf as a decor in the dining room.

  • Tayler

    Terri- I really like your design. I like how you placed the desk.

  • JPod

    [img]vancouverapartment.png[/img]

    This was tough, I did use some of John’s design, it was difficult to move things around in this space. I thought about moving the kitchen to the other side of the apartment to have it closer to the outdoor space, but it didn’t work. I removed the large storage space, and added a lot of kitchen counter/workspace/cupboard space to compensate for that.

  • JessicaC

    [img]designprojectvancouverapartmentforjohnjcullen2.jpg[/img]

    This certainly was a difficult space to negotiate. For the most part I’ve left key spaces in the positions they occupied previously, but shifted their internal organization. I maintain that even a unit as small as this (especially a unit as small as this), should supply ample storage for its occupants. For someone with few possessions the space might still feel cluttered if storage is inadequate.

    In any event, I struggled with identifying the more pressing priority: to have an open study / shelved space or a walk-in with a more feasible entry (will post this plan next).

  • JessicaC

    [img]1_designprojectvancouverapartmentforjohnjcullen.jpg[/img]

    Plan with walk-in.

  • Terri

    Tiffany,
    Just in case you’re reading…Unfortunately the symbols you offered couldn’t be read by Paint. Checking into it further, it seems that the Microsoft software program that was used is no longer available (they suggest one gets Vista). :(

    Franco,
    I recognize my plan in your take. :) The big desk with shelves is a nice idea too.

    Tayler,
    Thanks for the nod. I like your hand-drawing–that bathmat made me smile. ;)

  • sdokter

    [img]2_vancouverloftlayoutfinal.jpg[/img]

    This was a difficult layout to figure out, but I found certain aspects to implement. I redesigned the kitchen in the same area, but changed some of the layout. I also put the bathroom and laundry room in the same area.

  • Tara

    [img]3_vancouverapt.jpg[/img]

    Alright, here’s my revision to the plan.
    Though it was easy to want to put the kitchen in the bottom right corner, I was concerned because no natural light would be able to reach it. Therefore, I moved the bathroom into that space and shifted the kitchen over so that it was more in line with the patio doors.
    I also incorporated a study into the dining area by creating an enclosed shelving unit which would hold a computer system, enabling the study functions to be tucked away when dining. This space can now serve an alternative function when the dining table is not being used.

  • JessicaC

    Free Auto CAD software that those of you looking for the “CAD”-like look may wish to investigate:

    http://www.aplusfreeware.com/categories/business/FreeAutoCADAlternatives.html

    Also, free CAD blocks (2D library):

    http://www.archiforge.com/index.php?page=browse&id=163527603645319790a1ae59z50026566

  • frazer

    [img]vanroekelvancouve.jpg[/img]

    So I wanted to get the dining room close to the balcony since this coud be convient for moving outdoors to eat. Now the social space of the house is the dining room since it is surrounded by a study desk, a peninsula, and balcony entrance with lots of circulation around it. The laundry was incorporated into the bathroom to save space, there’s even room for some storage beside it.

  • Grace Coulter

    [img]designprojectaptloftvancouvergrace.jpg[/img]

    hey everyone, so I have a late night submission as well. I wanted the study desk, dining room and living room to all get natural light so the space is pretty compact but i think my circulation still works. laundry is a bit tucked away but still close to the bedroom access. I tried to keep this one really simple and work on creating a kitchen triangle.
    cheers everyone

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]vancondo4.jpg[/img]

    Decided to try the bath at the beginning of the plan. Desk is in the dining area.

    Mid America Mom

  • Andrew

    [img]1_designprojectaptloftvancouvermcconnell.jpg[/img]

    Here I reconfigured the kitchen and moved the bathroom to the other side of the apartment. I also tucked the laundry space into where the bathroom used to be and I got rid of the storage space. The shape and location of this laundry room might not be ideal but I think it could still work.

  • Terri

    JessicaC;
    Thanks for the links to free CAD programs. I’ll be checking those out. The google sketchup looks like a big leap for me!

  • Steve in Vanc

    [img]steve08jul10.jpg[/img]

    After an 8 mnoth hiatus, I’m drawn back by this exercise. Anyone who’s spent a winter in Vanoouver would immediate recognize that a 5′ patio door does not offer enough natural light for a living space this long and large — it’s a sure recipe for depression.

    So I think we need to open this up and put that wonderful window wall in the bedroom to better use. I flipped the sleeping and living areas (using Andrew’s inventive plan as a base) and created a longer, diagonal view from the entry. I also removed as many walls as possible, playing on our loft exercises with a freestanding millwork closet.

    Light now flows around the furniture all the way back into the kitchen. The only dark area is the entry, which heightens the entry progression. There’s also plenty of space for dining and study.

    BTW, thanks, John and Matthew! The site has really developed in the last months. I love the new features!