New Beginnings

LOCATION: Coquitlam, BC

DESIGNER: Joy Chao with John Henshaw Architect Inc (jhainc)

This Coquitlam home was originally built with its full character and layout intact when the clients purchased it. With a growing family on the way, they chose to renovate and upgrade the home before welcoming their new baby.

The project involved a full gut renovation, with the exception of the living room fireplace, which was retained as an original feature. We upgraded the insulation throughout, improved the ducting for the new furnace and air conditioning system, and completed all new plumbing and electrical. We also replaced the drain tile around the home after signs of water ingress were discovered in the basement, and identified that the original drain tile had never been connected to the city.

Additional work included all new windows and doors, new laminate flooring throughout, and a basement reconfiguration to accommodate a two-bedroom suite while still preserving a room for the homeowners on the lower level. We kept the original siding in place to help control costs, and also built a new rear deck and patio. The enclosed area above the carport was properly insulated and sealed, spray foam was added to the vaulted ceiling, and a small bedroom beside the primary suite was converted into a new primary bathroom and walk-in closet. New aluminum railings were installed at the front entrance and rear deck, and the rear deck was finished with a vinyl membrane to create dry storage space below.

Project Highlights

• Full gut renovation, retaining the original living room fireplace.
• Insulation upgraded throughout the home.
• New ducting installed for furnace and air conditioning.
• All new plumbing and electrical.
• Drain tile replaced after water ingress was found in the basement.
• Original drain tile discovered to have never been connected to the city.
• New laminate flooring throughout.
• Basement reconfigured to include a two-bedroom suite and a separate room for the homeowners.
• All new windows and doors.
• Original siding retained to help reduce costs.
• New rear deck and patio constructed.
• Insulation and vapour barrier upgraded in the enclosed carport area.
• Spray foam insulation installed in the vaulted ceiling.
• Small bedroom converted into a primary bathroom and walk-in closet.
• New aluminum railings installed at the front and rear.
• Rear deck finished with vinyl membrane for dry storage below.